Egyptian shawl?

[Joanne Hackett <JHackett@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Does anyone know of a reliable source of information on the type of
egyptian shawl called an 'Assiut', 'Assuit', 'Asyut', 'Assyut', or even
'Mummy lace' shawl?  The spellings are many.  This type of shawl
consists of a relatively open cotton net ground with thin strips of
silver tape passed through the knots and then folded, cut and hammered
in place.  They were popular in the 1920's and were sometimes made into
shift dresses or even coats.  I am particularly interested in what the
metal is.

Joanne Hackett
Associate Textile Conservator
Indianapolis Museum of Art