Textile Orientalisms: Paisley Shawls in Literature

During the late eighteenth century, Cashmere shawls from the Indian subcontinent began arriving in Britain. At first, these luxury goods were tokens of wealth and prestige. Subsequently, affordable copies known as “Paisley” shawls were mass-produced in British factories, most notably in the Scottish town of the same name. Textile Orientalisms is the first full length study of these shawls in British literature of the extended nineteenth century.

Join the National Trust for Scotland at the Georgian House to welcome the author, Suchitra Choudhury, for a presentation of her work and wider discussion.

Refreshments will be served on arrival.

Suchitra Choudhury is a Research Affiliate at the University of Glasgow, specializing in English Literature associated with India. Suchitra’s new book Textile Orientalisms considers popular literary images of Cashmere and Paisley shawls as markers of fashion, class, and race during the nineteenth century.

*Doors will open at 6.45 pm

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Georgian House, 7 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, United Kingdom