A linen sash embroidered with silk and metal thread, Turkey, 19th century

Sash, linen embroidered with silk and metal thread in double running stitch variations and combinations.
The minor border, which is not delineated by any lines, is composed of blue and red or brown and red leaves which form a meander. Above this are two bands: one motif is repeated three times in each band. at its base there is a pair of curving dark blue leaves, then a brown stem and three leaves, each of which has a red central line (blue in one leaf). When the lower pair are brown the upper one is blue and when the lower are blue, the upper is brown. This colour combination alternates across the width of the towel/napkin.

Given by Mr Lionel Harris

Turkish people wore sashes round their waists. They tied them so that the decorative ends hung below knee level. Women may have threaded narrow sashes such as this one through the waistband of their trousers to hold them in place.
At the end of the 18th century embroidery designs began to develop into rigid and heavily stylised borders for towels and napkins. The colours were strong and embroiderers used greater quantities of metal thread. The designs were always inventive. The colours in some 19th century embroideries were originally very bright but they have faded to pleasing pastel shades.

CIRC.745-1923