Hi I'm looking to identify this vintage scarf, it doesn't have a label. It's quite large. Maybe it's a design you have seen before? It was my grandma's and seems really special and just curious about if it has a story. Any thoughts or comments welcome! Thank you!
It's really lovely, and with the insect border, quite unusual. It reminds me of the sort of thing that might be sold in a fancy museum shop, like a natural history museum, or a botanical gardens like Kew. I can't quite tell from the photo, but I think it has hand rolled edge? If so that's a sign of quality. Can you tell if it is silk?
Hi! Thank you so much for these thoughts, I so appreciate the time and care. I'm not sure if it's silk, that was something I was curious about too. Are there any guides you might direct me to to figure out the material used? I'm also not sure about the handrolled edge - it seems to have some strands coming undone, all seems so delicate. I could definitely see her having been to a museum or garden and seen this, thought it was stunning. I keep looking at the design and trying to find an artist signature but no luck so far.
It's tricky because the best way is a burn test, but you can't do that with a scarf, because you need to be able to cut a small piece off. The only thing I can suggest is see if you can tell by feel, by comparing to something you know is silk. If you show a close up of the edge, both sides, we can tell you if it's hand rolled.
Oh, interesting! I’m not very familiar with these materials but someone suggested it could be satin, not silk, like, it’s kinda slippery. I’ve attached some pictures and appreciate your interest! Trying to figure this out feels like a sweet way to be connected to my grandma. I’ve tried reverse google image searching and it points to scarfs with “South African botanicals” which is interesting. They’re definitely unique flowers, like the Passion flower, and what seems like bird of paradise. Thanks for your interest!
It's a bit hard to see because it's black, but I think it's a handsewn/handrolled edge Satin is a weave and can be made of silk or other fibres. Eg you can get polyester satin, or rayon satin, or silk satin.
oh very cool. i didn't realize there were different kinds of satin. it definitely is sewn on the edges but unsure if it's machine or hand sewn. maybe i'll look closer in better light and see if i can tell. thanks for your interest and thoughts. it might just remain a mystery!
