Shawl 1825 - 1835

This shawl was made at the Dimitri Kolokoltzev Manufactory, using wool and cotton. The deep red field is a dense felted wool, giving it substantial weight and warmth. The elaborate floral border, woven in cotton, shows a contrast in materials and techniques. Note the precision of the pattern; this wasn't achieved through hand-embroidery, but on a loom. The Kolokoltzev Manufactory was known for its jacquard weaving, a technology that allowed for complex designs to be mass-produced. Such shawls were luxury goods, but their production depended on industrial processes and the division of labor. This beautiful object therefore embodies a paradox: it is a testament to both artistry and the rise of consumer culture. By considering how it was made, we appreciate the shawl not just as a textile, but as a material record of its time.