May

Traditional, hand-woven Kashmiri shawls characterised by exquisite, stylised floral and arabesque designs such as the one depicted here (right) were very expensive. Made from the fur of pashmina goats, they were the ultimate status symbol. Under the patronage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839) whose Empire of Punjab included the region of Kashmir, the craft flourished. Two former generals of Napoleon Bonaparte (Jean-Francois Allard and Jean-Baptiste Ventura) served in Ranjit Singh's army. They acted as agents for exporting the shawls to France. Napoleon's own gift of Kashmiri shawls to his wife, Empress Josephine (who was a fashion icon of her time), influenced their popularity throughout Europe.

The decorative panel (left) symbolises their contribution to the Kashmiri shawl trade by combining elements from the coat of arms of each General with emblems from Napoleon's royal insignia (including a bee and laurel wreath).