Handkerchief
1850-1900 (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.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Embroidered linen, needle and bobbin lace |
| Brief description | Handkerchief of embroidered linen with lace, France, 1850-1900 |
| Physical description | Handkerchief of embroidered linen. With a fine lawn centre and deep scalloped border elaborately embroidered in whitework with cutwork and needle lace fillings. Deep border of Valenciennes bobbin lace attached, lying in gentle gathers. The monogram MST is embroidered in one corner. In raised satin and buttonhole stitches with eyelet holes. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Lady Watts |
| 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. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.95-1959 |
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| Record created | May 15, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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