Handkerchief
ca. 1600 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Handkerchiefs made of plain linen served the same function that they do today. Elaborately decorated handkerchiefs, such as this example, were used purely as fashionable accessories and often given as gifts.
This handkerchief is decorated in a technique known as whitework, using white thread on white linen. It is further embellished with cutwork, where threads of the woven linen are cut and removed, and the remaining threads embroidered over to create open, lace-like patterns. A narrow band of linen bobbin lace borders the handkerchief. The centre is a separate square of linen, which could be unpicked, laundered and re-sewn, or after several years of use, replaced completely, while preserving the embroidered border and lace.
This handkerchief is decorated in a technique known as whitework, using white thread on white linen. It is further embellished with cutwork, where threads of the woven linen are cut and removed, and the remaining threads embroidered over to create open, lace-like patterns. A narrow band of linen bobbin lace borders the handkerchief. The centre is a separate square of linen, which could be unpicked, laundered and re-sewn, or after several years of use, replaced completely, while preserving the embroidered border and lace.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Linen, hand-embroidered, trimmed with hand-made bobbin lace, hand-sewn |
| Brief description | Linen handkerchief with an embroidered linen border and trimmed with bobbin lace, England, ca. 1600 |
| Physical description | White linen handkerchief attached with an embroidered linen border of whitework and cutwork in a pattern of scrolling stems bearing pomegranates, gilly flowers, pansies leaves and other fruits in chain, satin and ladder stitches. The handkerchief is edged with linen bobbin lace. The thread count of the handkerchief's centre is approximately 100 warp by 130 weft per inch. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Handkerchiefs made of plain linen served the same function that they do today. Elaborately decorated handkerchiefs, such as this example, were used purely as fashionable accessories and often given as gifts. This handkerchief is decorated in a technique known as whitework, using white thread on white linen. It is further embellished with cutwork, where threads of the woven linen are cut and removed, and the remaining threads embroidered over to create open, lace-like patterns. A narrow band of linen bobbin lace borders the handkerchief. The centre is a separate square of linen, which could be unpicked, laundered and re-sewn, or after several years of use, replaced completely, while preserving the embroidered border and lace. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.151-1960 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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