Featured Vintage or antique scarf, what material and age?

Hello all! I picked up this pretty scarf at auction. I'm hoping you can help me with what it is made from and possible age? (I thought perhaps 1920s?). Also, it smells a little fusty but I'm a bit worried I will damage it if I try to wash it. How do you suggest I successfully wash it without wrecking it? Thanks for all info as always

 

Very nice, Elen.
Agreed, home washing is not the answer...find a high-end dry-cleaner, a professional in fabric care; seek their counsel...which may prove to be easy, straightforward business for them. Might even be reasonably priced, but whatever...that scarf is worth the extra attention an treatment, imho.

 

Shawl. How was it described at the auction?

Debora

 

I ask because... It doesn't look terribly old to my eye. The internet tells me yours is a "burnout" shawl. For those, like me, who were unfamiliar with the term:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devoré

Debora

 

Described as, "Gorgeous old scarf/shawl", that's it. The pics weren't great either

 

Well, if it's not a bit older maybe I won't worry so much about hand washing it