Handkerchief
1600-1620 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
In the 16th century people used plain linen handkerchiefs for the same purposes they do today. Decorated handkerchiefs, however, were often purely fashionable accessories and gifts. This example has cutwork decoration. Cutwork is the earliest form of needle lace. It is based on a woven ground, from which areas have been cut away. The technique developed during the 16th century. Lacemakers cut away increasing areas of fabric to create a geometric grid of threads over which they worked their stitches. This type of advanced cutwork became very fashionable. It reached the height of technical and stylistic perfection around 1615.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Linen, with cutwork decoration |
| Brief description | Handkerchief decorated with cutwork, Flanders, 1600-1620 |
| Physical description | Handkerchief of linen, with a broad border of cutwork decoration. Repeating pattern of lozenge-shaped compartments, outlined by diagonal stems with rosettes at the intersections, and each filled with a geometrical star device; the outer border is of small vandykes. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Object history | Purchased. Registered File number 82095/1903. |
| Production | Flemish |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | In the 16th century people used plain linen handkerchiefs for the same purposes they do today. Decorated handkerchiefs, however, were often purely fashionable accessories and gifts. This example has cutwork decoration. Cutwork is the earliest form of needle lace. It is based on a woven ground, from which areas have been cut away. The technique developed during the 16th century. Lacemakers cut away increasing areas of fabric to create a geometric grid of threads over which they worked their stitches. This type of advanced cutwork became very fashionable. It reached the height of technical and stylistic perfection around 1615. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 484-1903 |
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| Record created | October 22, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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