Bath Towel thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Bath Towel

1849-1850 (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. This towel was purchased from The Great Exhibition which was held in London in 1851.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Embroidered linen with silk and metal thread
Brief description
Bath towel in embroidered linen with silk and metal thread, Turkey, 1849-1850
Physical description
Bath towel of 2/2 linen twill with weft loops embroidered with silk in double darning and double running in a line and with metal thread in mushabak stitch, double running in a line and slanted satin stitch. The plate has been used for slanted satin stitch and satin stitch filling-squares.
The towel has a deep border at either end. It is densely packed with scrolls, flowers, vases of fruit and bunches of grapes. Below this is a narrow border of cypress trees and flowers.
Dimensions
  • Length: 156cm
  • Width: 89cm
  • Length: 63in
  • Width: 36in
Style
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. This towel was purchased from The Great Exhibition which was held in London in 1851.
Bibliographic reference
Illustrated in 'Ottoman Embroidery' by Marianne Ellis and Jennifer Wearden (V&A Publications, 2001); plates 89 and 90
Collection
Accession number
757-1852

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Record createdJune 24, 1999
Record URL
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