A fabulous piece of silk in The Met’s Asian art collection caught the discerning eyes of our designers for its soft, sophisticated color palette. The ethereal motif depicting birds in flight among tendrilous flowers is simple but elegant—the perfect pattern for an artful accessory.
Birds in nature are perennial favorites at The Met Store; this timeless theme lends itself to multiple product categories, from ornaments to stationery, home decor, and jewelry. The striking coloration of the Museum’s silk piece called for a textile-to-textile interpretation, so our design team got to work transforming it into the stylish Japanese Birds and Flowers Oversize Jacquard Shawl.
With its substantial weave evocative of the chunky, blanket-like scarves that are currently en vogue, this cozy shawl refreshes The Met’s 18th–19th-century textile, which was made in Japan during the Edo (1615–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912).
Our contemporary reimagining of the original was woven in Italy on a Jacquard loom, a type of machine that revolutionized textile production upon its development by Joseph-Marie Jacquard (French, 1752–1834) in 1801. Previously, weavers required the assistance of a “drawboy,” who helped guide the textile’s vertical warp threads. The Jacquard loom mechanized the role of the drawboy, significantly increasing the efficiency of textile production while allowing for the creation of more complex and precise patterns.
The Met Store chooses to work with this Italian textile manufacturer, based in the historic city of Como, for their emphasis on quality of craftsmanship and commitment to sustainable practices.
The Japanese Birds and Flowers Oversize Jacquard Shawl joins our collection of brand-new fall scarves, inspired by paintings, tapestries, and other treasures in The Met collection.
