The Kashmir shawl has been an item of luxury consumption since the sixteenth century. Of these, the Kani weave cashmere shawls hold a special value, as this craft is specific to the Kashmir valley, and there are few master craftsmen today capable of this delicate work. Like an impressionist painting, Kani weave shawls are beautiful recreations of nature-inspired designs using a very fine twill tapestry technique, and it can take several days to produce just one piece.