History of the Spanish Mantón: The Manila Shawl
A Chinese Treasure Adopted by Spain: The Journey of the Manila Shawl
The Spanish Manton or Manila shawl represents a Spanish emblem. However, traders originally brought this beautiful shawl from Canton, China. During the 16th century, Spanish merchants introduced it to the Philippine capital of Manila, which was a Spanish colony at that time.
The Manila Galleons: A Historic Trade Route Connecting Asia, the Americas, and Spain
Spanish explorers claimed the Philippine islands for Spain in 1521. The Philippines then remained part of the Spanish empire for more than 300 years. In the 16th century, Manila became an important trading port. Spanish trading ships, known as Manila gallions, sailed a commercial route between China and the Philippines, on to Acapulco, Mexico and eventually docking in Seville, Spain. The Spanish traded gold and silver coins from Mexico for Chinese silks, porcelain, furniture and spices from Canton. This trade route remained active until the 1815 Mexican war of Independence.
Chinese Origins and Artisanal Embroidery of the Manila Shawl
One of the items that originated from trading with Canton was the silk shawl, now known as the Spanish manton de Manila. Women wore these square embroidered silk shawls folded diagonally in half and draped over the shoulders. Artisans embroidered the original shawls elaborately, just like those found today, decorating them with scenes showing Chinese people, birds, insects, and flowers.
From Fashion Statement to Cultural Icon: The Manton’s Evolution in Spain and Latin America
Over time, the shawl became a fashion statement in Seville, Southern Spain and Latin America. The women of Seville asked for fringe on the shawl’s border to add movement and attract attention. By the 18th century, manton became an essential piece in the wardrobe of women throughout the Spanish Empire, yet it was not until the 19th century that it became appreciated as a luxury fashion accessory.
In addition to being a fashion statement, the manton was and is still to this day used as an interior design accessory to decorate grand pianos, to drape over sofas and to hang on walls. People usually wear the manton, but the vibrant colors and intricate patterns of the Mantila manton create spectacular wall art. Shawls are popular Spanish souvenirs, but the fact that they can be pricey has kept them from becoming overly touristic items.
The Manila Shawl: Flamenco, Fashion, and Iconic Spanish Elegance
People commonly associate the Manila shawl with flamenco dancers who use this fashion accessory to add drama to their dance moves. The long fringe twirls with each step. Throughout Spain, women still wear the Manila shawl as an elegant fashion statement for special occasions such as weddings, bull fights, and special events. A simple dress transforms into a spectacular, eye-catching outfit when you add a Manila shawl.
Even a pair of jeans and a tee-shirt looks important with the addition of an over the shoulder Manton. It adds movement and femininity to any outfit. At some of the most well know Spain events, such as the Seville Fair, or Feria de Sevilla, women wear flamenco dresses adorned with the silk Manton. It is great fun to see all the women dressed in ruffled flamenco dresses with a colorful silk manton draped over the shoulder. Bazaar magazine features a fantastic article on how high-end designers use the manton and how they transform it into a phenomenal fashion statement. Enjoy the fotos.
Quality, Craftsmanship, and Legacy: What Sets Authentic Spanish Mantons Apart
Not all silk mantons are the same; There are many different sizes, some more or less intricately embroidered, and different weight silks. Many manufacturers import cheaper mantons from China. These mantons use acrylic or polyester and machines sew them. In contrast, artisans make the best mantons in Spain using silk and hand-embroider each piece. They can easily range in price from 300 to 2000 euros depending on the weight of the silk and the amount of embroidery used. Families often treasure a quality manton, passing it from generation to generation as a collector’s piece.
Timeless Beauty and Craftsmanship: The Enduring Appeal of the Spanish Manton
The long success of the Spanish manton is due to its beauty, wearability and its reflection of Spanish culture and history. Draped over the shoulders gives the feeling of elegance and femininity. At fromspain.com, we offer only mantons made from heavy-weight silk with silk fringe. Artisans in Toledo, Spain, individually hand-embroider each shawl.
You can read more about our Spanish manton supplier by clicking on this link: Nava.
View the silk mantons that we currently have available here: Silk Spanish Manton at From Spain Inc.
“ this beautiful shawl actually originated in Canton, China and in the 16th century was introduced through Spanish trade to the Philippine capital of Manila, a Spanish colony at that time.”…
With all due respect, the quote above is absolutely false. Please research the Boxer Codex which illustrates that women in the Philippine archipelago already were using shawls which predates the arrival of the Spaniards. Manila’s longstanding trade with China made it possible for the shawl to be mass produced in China, very much like how many products today are made in China—but it does not mean the product originated in China. That’s like saying the iPhone originated in China. The indigenous people of the Philippines at the time already had a thriving and sophisticated society which includes textile and garment production. If the shawls originated in China, why isn’t it prevalent and part of their traditional outfit. It is very rare to see any depiction of Chinese women wear scarves or shawls.
informative post shared.
Thank you very much for sending us this wonderful and informative information about the Manila mantón. We will gratefully include your addition to our post.
Nice informative
Manton de Manila derives from the Filipino “alampay”, specifically the ones in the kingdoms and city states in Luzon where both commoner and upper class women would wear this as a shawl or veil on their heads. It varies from different designs: may it be embroidered, painted, pre-colonial (indian) lace, songket, or any local patterns either made with linen, cotton, silk, and eventually pineapple fibers.
Shawls similar to this are also prevalent and common across Southeast Asia.
When the Spaniards colonized the kingdoms they’ve adopted the alampay as well as the rest of the pre-colonial kingdom’s baro’t saya ensemble (for colonial settlers’ outfit when staying in the Philippines) and tweaked the designs to fit it within their modest sensibilities. The alampay became a hit not just amongst colonial settlers but also upper class Spaniards in mainland during that time and hence the Philippines—under Spain’s rule— produced the alampays for globalization as a mandatory responsibility for the empire’s economy.
The Chinese traders saw the growing demand of alampay when it was sold by Spain to the world and made their own version to sell in the market.
That’s the origin story of Manton de Manila.
Thank you so much for your addition to the Mantón de Manila history. Your input is truly appreciated.