Bath Towel
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 for towels and napkins. The colours are strong and greater quantities of metal thread were used. The designs were consistently inventive. The colours in some 19th century embroideries were originally very bright but have faded to pleasing pastel shades.
Bath towels were woven with a looped pile. The idea was introduced into western Europe when it was copied by the Manchester firm of Christy and Sons about 1840.
Bath towels were woven with a looped pile. The idea was introduced into western Europe when it was copied by the Manchester firm of Christy and Sons about 1840.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Embroidered linen with silks and metal thread |
| Brief description | Bath towel of embroidered linen with silks and metal thread, Turkey, 1800-1899 |
| Physical description | Embroidered bath towel, 2/2 linen twill with weft loops embroidered with silk in double darning, and fishbone stitch. With metal thread in double darning on the diagonal, double running in a line, fishbone and satin stitch. The main border consists of a repeated motif: a horizontal floral spray, predominantly in metal thread. The main features are a downward curving spray of blue hyacinth flowers above a curving spray of gold buds or seeds, each ending with a red dot. These two curve around a light pink and gold spiky flower. On the upper side of the spray, towards its base, is a stylised red tulip. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Credit line | Given by Mrs Alexander |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | At the end of the 18th century embroidery designs began to develop into rigid and heavily stylised borders for towels and napkins. The colours are strong and greater quantities of metal thread were used. The designs were consistently inventive. The colours in some 19th century embroideries were originally very bright but have faded to pleasing pastel shades. Bath towels were woven with a looped pile. The idea was introduced into western Europe when it was copied by the Manchester firm of Christy and Sons about 1840. |
| Bibliographic reference | Illustrated in 'Ottoman Embroidery' by Marianne Ellis and Jennifer Wearden (V&A Publication, 2001); plate 109 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.82-1968 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | March 14, 2001 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
