Any thoughts as to what this is? (Shawl? with planes)

denisebrain

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This jacquard shawl-like item is a mystery to me (date, use, meaning of pattern). The piece is 32" square with a 10" fringe. The pattern includes planes.

shawl2.jpg


shawl1.jpg
 
I think this is might be a war themed shawl/scarf probably American.

There was an exhibition in 2005 'Wearing Propaganda: Textiles on the Home Front in Japan, Britain and the United States" in New York.

'A selection of women's scarves and dress fabrics from the United States in the early 1940's takes up the military theme. One scarf, of bright red printed rayon, is unusual in that it depicts soldiers of various divisions and ranks ranged around the Great Seal of the United States. Another, more playful, is adorned with planes and military insignia, accompanied by the pet names its pilots gave to their flying machines.'

I've quoted from this interesting article;

http://tinyurl.com/5hdbny
 
Oh, that is interesting--thank you!

Last I knew, Jonathan is working on a book about WWII-era clothing and accessories...if he's around, he might have some familiarity with such a piece.
 
Hi Maggie - yes, I have been wading my way through quite a few patriotic scarves, handkerchiefs, and other bits and bobs of textiles. These rayon woven table scarves are earlier than WW2, probably 1920s or very early 1930s. Biplanes are out of use by the beginning of WW2, so this is depicting an earlier era. This is definately for use on a table, not for wearing. I believe, as Julie suggested too, that these are probably made in China but I am not totally sure of that -- I have seen these types of table shawls before but not with this type of pattern and I am pretty sure they often had a little paper 'made in China' tag attached.
 
So, would the table scarves have been produced for export or the home market? It is kind of red, white and blue with the building having a mix of styles which would make sense to me if it was being made for the US market.
 
I'm so glad I got this right--I immediately thought of a table cloth, but worried I'd be somehow insulting you or this gorgeous textile.

I had a very scarf-y looking thing that's a French souvenir. It's a runner (albeit a very short one.) If I recall correctly (I probably can't find it or I donated it) the edges were finished very similarly. The look of this is so strikingly similar, too. I bought it thinking it was a scarf until someone told me that it probably was meant to decorate the table.

I just love this one.
 
I can easily see it draped over a small table...so I am not the least offended! Just interested in this one's story. I would say it seems Asian in make, but there is no labeling.
 
Maggie, I have a similar style table scarf (different pattern, but same basic styling, fabric, etc.), and I just checked it to see if there was any indication of country of origin, but no, nothing. Mine's got a Phoenician war-lord kinda thing going on, with soldiers, war horses, and dogs of war. I guess they really liked that military/war theming....
 
Maggie, that is wonderful.

Hi Holly! I was going to say table scarf/shawl too. I had
a more recent one a couple of years ago. Asian, same
jacquard fabric and fringe. The pattern with the biplanes
on this is great.

Sue
 
To be honest, when I first saw the design I thought it was either Chinese or Japanese and I then came across the article I have posted a link to - see above. The top of the building has a curiously Mandarin hat shape to me. The article does also refer to similar woven Japanese designs from the late 1920's and early 30's.

I do agree that this it is likely a table runner. Incidently biplanes were still being flown by the Japanese Army Air Force in 1942.
 
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