Handkerchief
2nd half 19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
In the 19th century people used plain linen or cotton handkerchiefs for the same varied purposes they do today. However, if the handkerchiefs were decorated they could also be carried purely as fashionable accessories and given as gifts. In such cases they often incorporated the initials of their owner in an elaborate monogram, particularly if they were part of a trousseau. Some of the most ornamental were of whitework embroidery, made with such skill that they were reversible, being equally fine on each side, and trimmed with hand-made lace.
This example has the initial A with a crown. It is likely to have belonged to Princess Alexandra, wife to Queen Victoria’s eldest son Edward, and later his queen.
This example has the initial A with a crown. It is likely to have belonged to Princess Alexandra, wife to Queen Victoria’s eldest son Edward, and later his queen.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Linen with whitework embroidery and bobbin lace |
| Brief description | Whitework and lace handkerchief, initial A, 1850-1900, French |
| Physical description | Handkerchief with fine lawn centre. It is decorated with whitework embroidery including the initial A under a crown/coronet in one corner. There is a narrow strip of Valenciennes bobbin lace inserted into the embroidered lawn, and some tiny needle lace fillings. A further deeper border of Valenciennes edges the whole handkerchief. This border is slightly scalloped, and lies in gentle gathers. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Her Majesty Queen Mary, consort of King George V |
| Object history | Given by HM Queen Mary, among a group of handkerchiefs and lace. One of the other handkershiefs with initial A is labelled as having belonged to Princess Alexandra. |
| Summary | In the 19th century people used plain linen or cotton handkerchiefs for the same varied purposes they do today. However, if the handkerchiefs were decorated they could also be carried purely as fashionable accessories and given as gifts. In such cases they often incorporated the initials of their owner in an elaborate monogram, particularly if they were part of a trousseau. Some of the most ornamental were of whitework embroidery, made with such skill that they were reversible, being equally fine on each side, and trimmed with hand-made lace. This example has the initial A with a crown. It is likely to have belonged to Princess Alexandra, wife to Queen Victoria’s eldest son Edward, and later his queen. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.77-1939 |
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| Record created | May 15, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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