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Arts of the Americas

Shawl

19th century

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Caption

Shawl, 19th century. Textile, indigo dye (ikat), 34 1/2 × 100 in. (87.6 × 254 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1941, Frank L. Babbott Fund, 41.1275.104. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Gallery

Not on view

Title

Shawl

Date

19th century

Medium

Textile, indigo dye (ikat)

Classification

Clothing

Dimensions

34 1/2 × 100 in. (87.6 × 254 cm)

Credit Line

Museum Expedition 1941, Frank L. Babbott Fund

Accession Number

41.1275.104

Rights

Creative Commons-BY

You may download and use Brooklyn Museum images of this three-dimensional work in accordance with a Creative Commons license. Fair use, as understood under the United States Copyright Act, may also apply. Please include caption information from this page and credit the Brooklyn Museum. If you need a high resolution file, please fill out our online application form (charges apply). For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch. If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.

Frequent Art Questions

  • Why didn't the fabric turn blue until exposed to air?

    This fabric was likely dyed in an indigo vat, which is the traditional process to make the indigo pigment water soluble. The resulting liquid is actually clear or yellowish as the indigo is transformed into leuco-indigotin (also called indigo white). When the soaked fabric is exposed to oxygen, the leuco-indigotin combines with oxygen in the air to become indigo and fixes itself to the fibers, turning them blue!

  • My wife and I are having a debate about the use of urine in authentic indigo dye. I say that's correct. This is not a joke text. I might just be a moron.

    Hi there! You're not the first to ask about this! Urine is sometimes used in the indigo dying process, but not always.
    Knew it! Why?
    One stage in the lengthy indigo dying process is to dissolve a crystalline pigment derived from the indigo plant itself. To dissolve this "indican" you need an alkaline chemical like lime, lye, or urine.
    Thanks so much.

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