Motif

Paisley

Curved teardrop forms with bent tips build an ornamental repeat.

Also searched as: boteh, buta

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Schematic motif family, not an exact swatch or registered design. Color, scale and repeats vary; closely related names can overlap in trade use.

How it is made

The motif appears in woven shawls, embroidery and printed textiles. Interiors may contain smaller flowers, leaves or geometric details.

How to recognize it

Look for the hooked tip rather than a simple straight-pointed droplet.

Common uses

  • Shawls
  • Neckties
  • Dress prints

What to distinguish

The English name reflects the Scottish manufacturing center, not a claim that the motif originated there. Kashmir and Persian textile histories are central to its development.

Sources & further reading

Research checked 2026-09-27. Descriptions are original summaries; references support terminology and construction, not every product sold under a name.

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