#4030 $1,500 Sold
Tamboured net shawl, 19th century
A tamboured net shawl is an ideal wedding accessory, the "something old" on a bride's special day. The ethereal design conveys a nostalgia for the beauty of the past. The shawl is exceptionally long and has a delightful ruffled border. This lovely shawl can also be used as a wedding veil.
The fine floral motif (3rd picture from the bottom) is so gay and sprightly—perfect to lighten the mood of the darkest day. You can almost hear
Sound of vernal showers
On the twinkling grass,
Rain-awaken'd flowers
The color has aged to a lovely cream/ivory. The cotton shawl can be washed to bring it closer to white. I have not done so because I appreciate the mellow aged surface.
"Tambour" refers to a technique that uses a frame ("tambour" or drum) to hold the fabric taut. The frame is used with a tambour hook, which resembles a crochet hook. This speeds up the chain stitch compared to the old method, which used only a needle for the embroidery. The tambour hook creates very fine chain stitches. The regularity of design in the shawl suggests this one was produced by an embroidery machine.
The condition is excellent.
The shawl is 108" long by 24" wide, including the 5" wide ruffled border.
