This splendid Russian shawl is by far the most unusual in the Museum's collection. Originally purchased as a kilim (tapestry-woven carpet), it confounded leading carpet experts for many years until it was identified as a Russian shawl. Woven in a tapestry technique, it is the only known Russian reversible shawl with an allover patterned center field. The field was woven in one piece, and separate borders and border guards were sewn together and attached.

The color combinations and certain motifs, such as the cartouches, are commonly found in Russian shawls. Other elements, however, are unusual. The chinoiserie (Chinese-style) designs, the occasional feathers, and the sinuous botehs (paisleys) crowned by rosettes are all uncommon Russian motifs. And the flat, geometric design replaces the more common designs of shaded, naturalistic flowers. The overall pattern of the shawl is closely related to that found in Persian carpets, which can often be read as an aerial view of a garden.