Not currently on display at the V&A

Bath Wrap

1800-1899 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

At the end of the 18th century embroidery designs began to develop into rigid and heavily stylised borders predominantly used on towels and napkins. A bath wrap was made from three widths of fabric and was used to wrap around the body while resting in the hamman [public baths] after bathing.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Linen with bands of cotton weft, embroidered with silk in double darning, double running in a line, musabak and fishbone stitch, and with metal thread in slanted satin stitch and double darning
Brief description
A linen bath wrap embroidered with silk, Turkey, 19th century
Physical description
Bath Wrap, linen with bands of cotton weft embroidered with silk in double darning, double running in a line, musabak and fishbone stitch, and with metal thread in slanted satin stitch and double darning.
Made from three widths joined together.
Each border is decorated with a repeated floral motif: at the base is a small green 'vase'; above this is a central pink flower with round petals in between two pink flowers with pointed petals. Below these pink flowers are sprigs of yellow leaves/buds. Above the pink flowers are sprigs with blue buds which curve around to bracket a light pink star-like flower.
Dimensions
  • Length: 248cm
  • Width: 134cm
Style
Credit line
Given by Prof. R. M. Dawkins
Subject depicted
Summary
At the end of the 18th century embroidery designs began to develop into rigid and heavily stylised borders predominantly used on towels and napkins. A bath wrap was made from three widths of fabric and was used to wrap around the body while resting in the hamman [public baths] after bathing.
Bibliographic reference
Illustrated in 'Ottoman Embroidery' by Marianne Ellis and Jennifer Wearden (V&A Publication, 2001); plate 128
Collection
Accession number
T.172-1950

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Record createdFebruary 28, 2001
Record URL
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