I recognised immediately that this item was a shawl (commonly worn in northern India) from Kashmir, intricately embroidered in the Kashmiri style onto a red background.

​On either side, the shawl has three large paisleys (the tear drop pattern was Persian in origin). In the 18th and 19th century, the paisley motif began to be used extensively and made its way to Britain through the textile and cotton trade established by the East India Company. 

The material itself is red with extensive green embroidery, representing a garden, and other colours representing flowers. The quality of the embroidery and skill of the craftsperson can be judged by looking at the reverse of the  material.

​Samar, Rusholme