Manila shawl

Shawls such as this object were often referred to as Manila shawl, or Mantones de Manila. Manila shawls were popular in Europe during the 19th and 20th centuries, especially in Spain. They are usually worn covering the shoulders or as a mantilla covering the heads of women. Made of silk and produced in China, they were brought to European shores through trade routes earlier established by the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade (1565–1815). Although the shawls were made in China, they were usually shipped to Europe via Manila on the galleons, hence the misnomer, “Manila shawls”.

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