This Yellow Sozni Embroidery Pashmina Shawl is made from cashmere from the neck and belly of Chantangi goats. These goats inhabit the Himalayas at altitudes above 4,000 meters. From collecting the wool to hand-spinning the yarn, to the Kani diamond weave, and finally the Sozni embroidery, the entire process takes years and requires exquisite skill. This makes each scarf incredibly precious and rare. The artisans' creativity makes each piece unique in color and embroidery. Their masterful craftsmanship results in luxurious embroidered cashmere shawls, making them a favorite among celebrities. This exquisite piece carries on a century-old tradition and is a true collector's item.
Sozni embroidery is a Persian court embroidery technique passed down through generations of Kashmiris. This type of embroidery is called "Soni" (meaning "needle and thread" in Urdu, India). The exquisite craftsmanship transforms the final fabric into something resembling a painting. Sozni embroidery is entirely handmade, without the use of any machines, and is done entirely by artisans of Persian descent residing in Sliga, Kashmir. The complexity of the design in Sozni embroidery affects the time required to complete it. A simple pattern, only one inch wide, embroidered along the four sides of a shawl can take an embroiderer months to complete under lamplight. The most complex, fully embroidered shawl can take up to six years to finish.
Pashmina, Kashmir cashmere, originates from the Persian word Pas. Hmineh means "ultra-soft wool products." The Changtangi goats, which inhabit the Himalayas at altitudes above 4,000 meters, live in areas where winter temperatures can drop to -40 degrees Celsius. The goats' soft down, which grows in late autumn, is the softest and most prized wool in the world. Its fibers are long and fine, only about 12 to 15 micrometers thick, making it soft to the touch, lightweight, breathable, and warm. Because the fibers are so fragile, they cannot withstand machine pulling; therefore, everything from harvesting, hand combing, spinning to dyeing must be done by hand to withstand the tens of thousands of pulls of the wooden shuttle weaving.
Kashmiri Pashmina Gallery was founded in 1935 in Srinagar, the heart of Kashmir's craftsmanship in northern India.
The history of this great craft dates back to the 15th century when the Persian saint Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani came to Kashmir to preach and personally trained 700 master craftsmen skilled in Pashmina weaving and silk carpet making. Since then, the tradition of handmade Pashmina has been passed down orally among the Persian descendants in Srinagar.
Today, each of our pieces still requires master craftsmen to dedicate at least six months, or even several years, to complete. The extraordinary skill, patience, and unwavering focus embodied in this process are deeply rooted in Kashmir's rich heritage of craftsmanship.
We insist on using rare Chantangi cashmere (Pashmina) from the extremely cold, high-altitude Himalayan region, at elevations above 4,000 meters. Winter temperatures can drop to -40 degrees Celsius. In temperatures as low as 10 degrees Celsius, goats grow incredibly soft and warm down in late autumn. The fibers are only about 12 to 15 micrometers in diameter. Because the fibers are extremely fragile and cannot withstand the pulling of modern machinery, everything from harvesting, hand combing, hand-spinning, to natural dyeing must be done by hand. This natural gift results in a soft, lightweight, breathable, and extremely warm feel. Wearing it feels like a second skin—weightless, figure-hugging, and exuding an indescribable sense of luxury.
**Product Details:**
- Suitable for all seasons—spring, autumn, winter, and even summer in air-conditioned spaces.
- Product ID: SH/LY-0180
- Measurements: Width: 100 cm, Length: 200 cm
- Composition: 100% Pashmina