Hello:

I'm trying to find a textile historian or curator that can help me with a
quick question.  I have a piece on loan to our museum that I'm researching
so that I can write a label and put it on exhibit.  The piece is a shawl
that according to the info provided by the lending institution, was
handmade in 1880.  The shawl looks and feels like the chenille throw that
I have on my couch at home.  According to a few websites that I perused,
chenille wasn't invented until 1895 or 1900, and the websites appear to be
referring to the cotton chenille bedspreads that were popular during the
first half of the 20th century, and not the silkier (and I assume,
synthetic) chenille that has become popular lately.  So, what is this
mystery fabric?  If anyone can help me by either answering my question or
forwarding my query onto a knowledgeable colleague, I would be very
appreciative!

Thanks,
Amanda Dyer
Bell County Museum

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