WWII Taj Mahal PIANO SHAWL THROW TAPESTRY 32" x 32" + Fringe, Brilliant Colors!

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Note: these Taj Mahal type piano shawls are a popular item now. I'm amazed at the prices on most of them currently listed. I have a theory on selling, it's called, "sell, not keep it in inventory." That's why you see this priced TO SELL!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~IF YOU WERE SEEING THIS "IN PERSON" AT THIS MOMENT, YOU WOULD AGREE THIS IS BEAUTIFUL! These piano shawls/throws are each so different yet so much alike! Exotic piano shawls, throws, tapestries have been my passion over the years, this one is SOOO PRETTY! Brilliant Colors that wake you up! The design is taken from the art of Asia and Japan and especially the Indian Sub-Continent. The design is based on a courtyard at The Taj Mahal itself. Exotic tropical flowers and foliage combined with the Mughal architectural features are visible in this jacquard woven throw/piano shawl. No self-respecting sailor or GI serving in the Pacific came home without one of these textiles for their mother or sweetheart. Shore leave for a sailor, or a pass for a GI stationed in Japan, gave that 1940's or 1950's buyer a opportunity to shop at a "tourist trap" (a GI trap) designed to provide glitzy, inexpensive items attractive to a young, naive GI or sailor. TODAY, in 2016, these have become desirable, collectable and, frankly, quite fun! Finding one that was put away and stored by that mother, wife or sweetheart, is a bonus. This one has a great feel, and is a little heavier weight than most. It has a look that is better than the ordinary found at Antique Shows and shops. SOOO EXOTIC! The brilliant, shimmering royal purple, blues, reds, yellows and golds on a peachy/pink background make this more colorful than usual. These and other colors are blended on the jacquard loom to produce a gorgeous finished product. CONDITION: This throw is in EXCELLENT vintage condition. I've found no holes, soil or pulls, NO FLAWS OF ANY KIND! The folds are on the original folds! This throw doesn't have the usual serious wrinkles from being folded unevenly! The folds are even and tidy. Let me say a word about the fringe. The longer the fringe, the more likely it will be to find it tangled. Some of these Taj Mahal throws have extra long fringe, up to 12 inches or more. This has quite lovely fringe, it's long, but due to the fact that the throw hasn't been used, the fringe is in fantastic, manageable condition. Virtually NO tangling at the ends. I found this shawl at an Austin, Texas, Antique Show in the mid 1980's and kept it for myself. I had a feeling that these souvenir throws would become collectible. AND THEY HAVE! They are pretty AND funky, the colors here are a perfect combination, It's been stored all these years. Now, it's your turn to reap the benefit from it being stored away. Storing it away from air and light has preserved the lovely colors. I'm selling off my accumulation of a lifetime on eBay. My listings in eBay are not from recent garage sales, estate sales, etc., they are my personal things. Measurements: This lovely piece is approx 32" by 32" with nice fringe of approx 10" on the peachy/pink side and 7ish" on the golden side. The fringe is a self fringe knotted from the threads in the jacquard woven fabric. SEE PHOTOS #8 and #9 to see fringe including the two distinctly different colors, a perfect bright gold on two sides and a lovely peachy/pink on the opposite two. A jacquard woven tapestry is darker on one side, the lighter colored side is like a photographic negative or a reverse image. The sheen of the silky threads is gorgeous. This is rayon, that was the available fiber in this period. Silk was reserved for military use. Photos #11 and #12 are of the GLORIOUS COLORS OF THE BACKSIDE! This is ready for a new home, place it over a piano, table, drape it over a chair, it's use is limited only by your imagination. A stunning shawl over the shoulders is a possibility. The approx square size (counting the fringe) allows for many choices in use. Please review the photos to see detail. Note: see photos #1and #10 for a nice touch of green ombré colored embroidery in ... read more

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