Rare French? Shawl
1860s

I have seen thousands of shawls but never one like this. Is it French? What was the occasion it was woven for? Surely a special exhibition?   It came from a family residing in Southern Italy, but of course that does not mean it was woven in Italy. It would have been woven on a Jacquard loom. Love to hear from you if you have any information.

Description

The central field with a repeating design of scenes including two gentleman in 18th century clothes sitting at a table being poured glasses of wine from pitchers, by servants wearing Eastern dress, another scene with a two women seated by a table in long dresses, a clown or person in carnival dress holding cloth above his head, all amongst exotic foliage and eastern pavillions, the borders with a mother protecting her child watching pairs of cockerals flanking a fountain, next to gondeliers with long paddles, watched over by two exotic birds, a decorative guard stripe, the outer top and bottom narrow border with a man and a woman fishing. another amorous couple and pairs of birds, all in scarlet,  mid blue, gold silks on a black cotton ground, fringed.

11 ft x 5ft 9 in; 3.35 x 1.75 m

Condition

Very very good.