The making of Russian kerchiefs and shawls is a centuries-old craft of considerable artistic value. It has been described by art historians, ethnographers, crafts and industry specialists, and experts on costume and fashion. Many types of kerchiefs and shawls-embroidered, woven, hand-made and roller-printed, all current in Russia from the 18th to the 20th century - are pictured in this book. There are kerchiefs from Russian factories woven or embroidered with gold thread, kerchiefs from villages, unique shawls made by serfs, block-printed woollen and chintz headscarves, and works by modern designers. All the shawls and kerchiefs presented here are from collections at the State History Museum and the Moscow Arts and Crafts Research Institute’s Folk Art Museum. Both are 19th century collections which have been continually expanded. (fragment)