Antique Indian Shawl. This is an antique embroidered woolen wedding shawl or “Odhni” from the Thar Desert region near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. Approximately 84 x 49 inches. The background cloth is 2 strips of reddish maroon handloomed wool cloth (probably camel wool) that have been sewn together lengthwise. See a similar example in John Gillow’s “Traditional Indian Textiles.” These wool shawls are more scarce and older than the wedding shawls done on cotton fabric. The shawl is embroidered mostly in cross stitch and satin stitch in white, yellow, blue and gold wool thread. The field has nice geometric designs and the distinctive borders of these shawls done in a flat satin stitch. The shawl is in very good condition. It’s a very attractive piece of Indian Rajasthani embroidery that will look terrific displayed on your wall, draped across a sofa or worn on a cold winter’s night.