Shahtoosh shawl

Shahtoosh shawl

A shawl is a simple item of clothing, loosely worn over the shoulders, upper body and arms, and
sometimes also over the head. It is usually a rectangular or square piece of cloth, that is often
folded to make a triangle but can also be triangular in shape. Other shapes include oblong shawls.
Shahtoosh is the name given to a specific kind of shawl, which is woven with the down hair of the
Tibetan antelope by the weavers of Kashmir.These shawls were originally very few and it took very
skilled artisans to weave the delicate hair (which measured between 9 and 11 micrometres). These
factors made shahtoosh shawls very precious. Shahtoosh are so fine that an average size shawl can
be passed through a wedding ring, leading to them also being known as ‘ring shawls.’The incredible
fineness makes it virtually impossible to handle – and this is where the weavers of Kashmir played
their role. With their experience in handling the finest hand-combed Pashmina wool, they could weave
shawls of the most exquisite quality, and thus the shahtoosh shawl was born.The chiru antelope live in
one of the harshest environments on earth, at an altitude of over 5,000 metres. Their special type of
down fur, which is both very light and warm, allows them to survive in the freezing conditions of the
plateau where they gather at one point of the year. They are migratory animals – moving down from
Mongolia to Tibet – and traditionally followed closely by the nomads, who also make that journey every
year.

 

Immerse yourself in luxury with a Kashmiri Shahtoosh shawl. This exquisite wool is the softest and lightest in the world, making it perfect for keeping you warm on chilly days. The unique fiber structure of Shahtoosh also makes it resistant to pilling and fading, ensuring that your shawl will stay looking luxurious for years to come.