TCG London
Free Delivery all over UK.
Flat 15% Discount Storewide | Use Code : TCG15
English
AED
AFN
ALL
AMD
ANG
AUD
AWG
AZN
BAM
BBD
BDT
BGN
BIF
BND
BOB
BSD
BWP
BZD
CAD
CDF
CHF
CNY
CRC
CVE
CZK
DJF
DKK
DOP
DZD
EGP
ETB
EUR
FJD
FKP
GBP
GMD
GNF
GTQ
GYD
HKD
HNL
HUF
IDR
ILS
INR
ISK
JMD
JPY
KES
KGS
KHR
KMF
KRW
KYD
KZT
LAK
LBP
LKR
MAD
MDL
MKD
MMK
MNT
MOP
MUR
MVR
MWK
MYR
NGN
NIO
NPR
NZD
PEN
PGK
PHP
PKR
PLN
PYG
QAR
RON
RSD
RWF
SAR
SBD
SEK
SGD
SHP
SLL
STD
THB
TJS
TOP
TTD
TWD
TZS
UAH
UGX
USD
UYU
UZS
VND
VUV
WST
XAF
XCD
XOF
XPF
YER
TCG London
Cart 0
  • Women
    • Knitwear
      • V-Necks
      • Round Necks
      • Roll Necks
      • Ribbed
      • Cardigans
      • Tunics
    • Accessories
      • Gloves
      • Scarves
      • Hats and Beanies
      • Pashminas
      • Ponchos Capes and Stoles
    • Jewellery
      • Pendants
      • Necklaces
      • Earrings
      • Brooches
      • Bracelets

    New collection

  • Men
    • Knitwear
      • V-Necks
      • Round Necks
      • Roll Necks
      • Zip Necks
      • Sleeveless
    • Jewellery
      • Cufflinks
      • Brooches
    • Accessories
      • Gloves
      • Scarves
      • Hats and Beanies

    New collection

  • Accessories
    • Mens
      • Gloves
      • Scarves
      • Jewellery
    • Womens
      • Gloves
      • Scarves
      • Hats and Beanies
      • Ponchos Capes and Stoles
      • Pashminas
      • Jewellery
    Scottish Cashmere Fingerless Gloves - TCG London

    Scottish Cashmere Fingerless Gloves

    Regular price £44.00
    Sale price £44.00 Regular price
    Unit price
    /
    Scottish Cashmere Gloves - TCG London

    Scottish Cashmere Gloves

    Regular price £44.00
    Sale price £44.00 Regular price
    Unit price
    /
    Plain Scottish Cashmere Scarves - TCG London

    Plain Scottish Cashmere Scarves

    Regular price £77.00
    Sale price £77.00 Regular price
    Unit price
    /
    Scottish Cashmere Check Scarves - TCG London

    Scottish Cashmere Check Scarves

    Regular price £77.00
    Sale price £77.00 Regular price
    Unit price
    /
    Scottish Cashmere Ribbed Beanies - TCG London

    Scottish Cashmere Ribbed Beanies

    Regular price £77.00
    Sale price £77.00 Regular price
    Unit price
    /
    Scottish Cashmere Ribbed Scarves - TCG London

    Scottish Cashmere Ribbed Scarves

    Regular price £119.00
    Sale price £119.00 Regular price
    Unit price
    /
  • Gift Bundles
  • Women
    • Knitwear
      • V-Necks
      • Round Necks
      • Roll Necks
      • Ribbed
      • Cardigans
      • Tunics
    • Accessories
      • Gloves
      • Scarves
      • Hats and Beanies
      • Pashminas
      • Ponchos Capes and Stoles
    • Jewellery
      • Pendants
      • Necklaces
      • Earrings
      • Brooches
      • Bracelets

    New collection

  • Men
    • Knitwear
      • V-Necks
      • Round Necks
      • Roll Necks
      • Zip Necks
      • Sleeveless
    • Jewellery
      • Cufflinks
      • Brooches
    • Accessories
      • Gloves
      • Scarves
      • Hats and Beanies

    New collection

  • Accessories
    • Mens
      • Gloves
      • Scarves
      • Jewellery
    • Womens
      • Gloves
      • Scarves
      • Hats and Beanies
      • Ponchos Capes and Stoles
      • Pashminas
      • Jewellery

    Accessories for Men

    Scottish Cashmere Fingerless Gloves - TCG London

    Scottish Cashmere Fingerless Gloves

    Regular price £44.00
    Sale price £44.00 Regular price
    Unit price
    /
    Scottish Cashmere Gloves - TCG London

    Scottish Cashmere Gloves

    Regular price £44.00
    Sale price £44.00 Regular price
    Unit price
    /
    Plain Scottish Cashmere Scarves - TCG London

    Plain Scottish Cashmere Scarves

    Regular price £77.00
    Sale price £77.00 Regular price
    Unit price
    /
    Scottish Cashmere Check Scarves - TCG London

    Scottish Cashmere Check Scarves

    Regular price £77.00
    Sale price £77.00 Regular price
    Unit price
    /
    Scottish Cashmere Ribbed Beanies - TCG London

    Scottish Cashmere Ribbed Beanies

    Regular price £77.00
    Sale price £77.00 Regular price
    Unit price
    /
    Scottish Cashmere Ribbed Scarves - TCG London

    Scottish Cashmere Ribbed Scarves

    Regular price £119.00
    Sale price £119.00 Regular price
    Unit price
    /
  • Gift Bundles
TCG London
Discount Codes Wishlist Cart 0

Search our store

TCG London
Wishlist Cart 0
Popular Searches:
Pashmina Cashmere
News

The Complex History Of The Paisley Shawl Motif | TCG London

by Sarah A on Feb 21, 2023
The Complex History Of The Paisley Shawl Motif | TCG London

Even compared to other types of garment, cashmere clothing has a somewhat fascinating history, one that has shaped two regions that would otherwise be completely different to each other.

Both of these areas, one a mountainous region deep in the Himalayas and Scotland’s largest town known for its complex and elaborate textile industry, are both connected to each other by one symbol that has endured for thousands of years.

From a religious symbol of eternal life to an icon of 1960s psychedelia, the story of Boteh Jehgeh, or the teardrop paisley motif, is a rich tapestry of multiple different stories.

Ancient Motif

It is telling that the history of the motif is so complex, but the motif is believed to have originated from one of two points.

The first is from the Sassanid Dynasty in Persia, located in modern-day Iran, at some point between 224AD and 651AD.

Their official religion was Zoroastrianism, and one of the most important symbols in that religion was the cypress tree, with some examples of Boteh Jehgeh resembling the leaves of the cypress tree, which was a symbol of strength, resilience and modesty.

Other theories have suggested the teardrop is the flame-like plumage of a Simurgh, a phoenix-like mythical creature who was the imperial emblem of the Sassanid Empire.

Irrespective of the origins, the symbol was used primarily as a design on royal clothing, crowns and shawls worn in the royal courts, before becoming a much more widely used pattern which can still be regularly seen in Iran and Uzbekistan.

So how did this pattern become so associated with a town in Scotland that its western name is derived from it?

 

From The Mountains To The Lowlands

It is known that by the 15th century, shawls and other pieces of clothing with the Boteh Jehgeh were being traded across the Silk Road, with Greek and Egyptian buyers of the fabric, but it would be in the early 19th century when it would make a big impact.

The identity of the first person to bring Boteh to Britain is not entirely clear but is believed to be the explorer William Moorcroft, who at the time was employed at the East India Company as a veterinarian.

Despite the chagrin of his employers, Mr Moorcroft loved exploring, ostensibly to find better horses, and would first get his hands on cashmere in 1812 on an expedition to Tibet.

Either here or on his later and much larger expedition that took him through Kashmir, he found and fell in love with the Boteh design, to the point that he tried to make arrangements to take families of textile workers to the United Kingdom to take advantage of larger and more industrial means of production.

Ultimately, whilst the Paisley design is associated with cashmere now, early imitation shawls, later known as the paisley shawls, were actually made of much thicker and warmer fleece, and the design would alter and shift over the years as it became more popular.

It would have a somewhat unexpected revival in the 1960s as a symbol of psychedelia, especially in popular pop and rock music of the time. This reached a point where Fender Guitars would produce several guitars with the paisley print, and it can still be found to this day in a lot of different garments.

Previous
Why Men Should Enjoy Cashmere As It Isn’t Just For Ladies
Next
The Most Effective Ways To Find The Best Cashmere Clothes

Related Articles

Casual Winter Clothes for Men & High Visibility Winter Clothing for Style and Safety

Casual Winter Clothes for Men & High Visibility Winter Clothing for Style and Safety

Winter Golf Clothes: Top Picks for Golf Clothing to Keep You Warm

Winter Golf Clothes: Top Picks for Golf Clothing to Keep You Warm

Birthday Outfit: Ideas for Every Milestone

Birthday Outfit: Ideas for Every Milestone

How To Store Scarves And Pashminas?

How To Store Scarves And Pashminas?

Tags

  • cashmere
  • cashmere gloves
  • cashmere hat
  • cashmere knitwear
  • cashmere scarves
  • cashmere socks women
  • cashmere wrap
  • Christmas
  • gifts
  • gloves
  • Pashmina
  • scarves
  • Scottish Cashmere
  • tartan scarf
  • winter

Shop

  • Women
  • Men
  • Accessories
  • Gift Bundles

Information

  • About Us
  • Delivery and Returns
  • Terms of Sale
  • Refund policy
  • Blog
  • Contact

Follow Us

© TCG LONDON 2025
Payment options:
  • American Express
  • Apple Pay
  • Diners Club
  • Discover
  • Google Pay
  • Maestro
  • Mastercard
  • PayPal
  • Shop Pay
  • Union Pay
  • Visa
Cart 0

Confirm your age

Are you 18 years old or older?

Come back when you're older

Sorry, the content of this store can't be seen by a younger audience. Come back when you're older.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.

Shopping Cart

Your cart is currently empty.
Add note for seller
Estimate shipping rates
Add a discount code
Subtotal £0.00
View Cart