Please date these shawls

[Mimble]

My grandmother has a couple of antique silk shawls which she inherited. One is long and has lace surrounds, the other is smaller, square and has a fringe, and embroidery. They are very stained but still beautiful and light as a feather. I wondered if anyone with a knowledge of antique clothes could provide a date for them please? I'm also wondering if they could be wedding garments?
Any help would be appreciated.
Many thanks
Mary

[suecrilly]

Just butting in - my word they are glorious. Your grandmother is a very lucky lady
Sue

[suecrilly]

Mary
How long is the bigger of the two shawls ?-  I would imagine it has got to be a wedding shawl.
What fabric is the main body of the shawls? 
Sue

[Mimble]

The bigger one is 90 inches long. They are both silk, I would think the lace and fringing is also silk.

I think they must have been special, being so old. My great grandmother got married in 1890, and my great great grandmother in 1861. I'm hoping someone will be able  to date the style so that I can perhaps try to link them to either of these events.

Mary

[suecrilly]

Hi
On the smaller one is it embossed embroidery ? If so, is it machine or hand embroidery?
I have been looking around the internet and can't find anything like them, however, I know I have seen the style before somewhere.  I have some old text books somewhere about textile history and there might be something similar in those.  I think they may be in my mothers loft. I will try and find out for you.
I will keep looking for you
Sue 

[Viktoria]

Hello, the longer shawl/stole reminds me of those worn in historical dramas like Pride and Prejudice
,Mansfield Park etc. the period about 1800-1830.Very possibly for weddings . They were also worn later in Victorian fashion.However the smaller one reminds me of something used at funerals--well the period when a deceased person lay in their coffin before burial,  in the front parlour.Their face would be covered  and the cloth lifted when visitors called to see the deceased, which was very common especially in Victorian days. I `m not sure there would be a fringe though.
What I am sure of is how lovely they are. Don`t mean to be rude but how are you storing them? Beware tissue paper which is not acid free!Enjoy them. Viktoria.

[Mimble]

Hi
The embroidery is on both sides, satin stitch. I think the whole thing is hand made, the hemming definitely is, and the fringe is stitched onto the hem directly, not added afterwards.

I have an ambrotype of my great great grandmother in ornate dress and wearing a shawl on what I believe is her wedding day. (Ambrotypes were only made between 1855 and 1865, and she was married in 1861).

The shawls are stored in a Debenhams bag at the moment! Must get some acid free paper for them.

[Viktoria]

Hi, I am just watching a film " Blanche Fury" starring Valerie Hobson and Stewart  Granger(OOOOOOO). Val Hob is wearing a shawl exactly like the one you have. She is wearing it sometimes on her head and then just round her shoulders. It is Victorian times I should say 1860`s to 70`s as the clothes are just like those worn in Gone With The Wind and that was the American Civil war , mid 1860`s. She has just got married and it seems part of her wedding clothes. It really is the same. Just thought you`d like to know.Viktoria.

[Mimble]

Dear Sue and Viktoria
Thanks so much for your help with this - much appreciated!
Mary