Godfrey Shawl from Kashmir

The Godfrey shawl, late 19th century, India. The Godfrey shawl, late 19th century, India. Copyright National Gallery of Australia, acc. no. NGA 92.281.

The Godfrey Shawl is now housed in the National Gallery of Australia. It was made in the second half of the nineteenth century from cashmere wool and embroidered with a representation of the Kashmir capital of Srinagar. It measures 208 x 185 cm.

The shawl was commissioned by the Maharaja Ranbir Singh Sahib Bahadur (1832-1885), the then ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, in 1870-1871. It was made in Srinagar, and kept in the local Toshakhana (Treasury) until 1896, when it was sold. It was on display at the Delhi Coronation Durbar of 1903, and again at the Festival of Empire in London in 1911.

For a video clip and educative materials, click here.

National Gallery of Australia online catalogue (retrieved 3rd September 2017).

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Last modified on Thursday, 13 May 2021 18:13
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