Looking at original examples is a great way to train your eye when choosing a shawl for living history. Here are a few to look at. Keep in mind some can fit in multiple catagories. (THIS PAGE IS VERY MUCH IN PROGRESS)
Sheers
Silk gauze printed
Plaids
British, Silk, plaid and damask
Paisley Family
ca 1870 (I say earlier) Scottish
Scottish, mid-century, smaller motifs
1856, Scottish, Very unusual shape
All over motif, 1850s possibly printed
1851 French, interesting design
Double square, look at the center
First half of century, Turn-over shawl
Great Stripe, Paisley Scotland
ca 1866, bordered shawl, could be mimiced at home
British, ca 1850 all-over motif, could be printed
ca 60-65, double square, British
Listed as a mourning shawl, British, 40-50s
1840s, Russian, Could be made at home by adding borders to red center
Listed at 1820. Yellow center with paisley type border. Could be recreated.
Silk – Embroirdered, etc
White silk crepe, embroidered floral
Florals
Technically in the Paisley family, Norwich, England
Paisley family, possibly French
French or Italian printed on cotton
French or Italian printed on cotton, size suggests a scarf shawl
Lace
Black, American, Triangle, cotton
Printed
This might be printed, British
Norwich, double-square boteh motif
c1850 printed small motif & border
Knit
Unusual
If I Had My Own Blue Box: 
Leave a Reply