A French Cashmere "burnous" Scarf, Circa 1850

Circa 1850, France, Paris (?) A beautiful French cashmere shawl with an off-center design, dating from the late Louis-Philippe period. This type of shawl was called a Burnous; it was not quarter-woven and represented a significant technological feat in additional weaving. Very fine, cut-throat weave in eight colors on a Jacquard loom. Richly decorated with an architectural pattern of interlocking and overlapping cashmere palm fronds in very high polychromy. A central black reserve with an offset design on a border featuring bouquets and arabesque illuminations. Harlequined and fringed borders on both ends. No woven signature, but probably from a Parisian manufacturer. A few tiny moth holes, mostly in the cashmere decoration, no more than 1 mm in diameter, as is often the case, visible only when held up to the light. No holes or stains. These minor flaws do not affect the shawl's durability. Very good condition in terms of color and preservation. Dimensions: 270 cm long x 58 cm wide