Reproduction Double Purple Paisley Handkerchief, from the collection of the, by Burnley & Trowbridge.

The deep purple "paisley" handkerchief which this Double Purple Paisley Handkerchief was copied from had no known provenance.  While visiting the Institute in the 1990s, paisley shawl expert, Arlene Cooper assigned it a date of 1830, but no notes mention the methods used to date it. In our research, we have seen similar designs, dated much earlier than 1830.  In India, known as a "buta" or "boteh", (meaning flower), the pattern was used to adorn all manner of items, and became popular globally when the East India Company began to import shawls and other textiles adorned with the motif in the early 18th century.  It's popularity led to the town of Paisley in Scotland  becoming a major manufacturer of shawls in the pattern, thus the name "paisley" was adopted. 

Our Double Purple Paisley Handkerchief is printed in two tones of purple; a popular color in both the 18th and 19th centuries.

• Measures approximately 34 inches square. 
• 100% hand loomed cotton mull.
• Hand printed and hand finished. 
• To learn more about our Double Purple Paisley Handkerchief and our other designs, visit