Handkerchief

Dateca. 1769

MediumPlate printed linen tabby

DimensionsW: 28 7/8" X L: 26 1/2"; 80 warp ends per inch X 76 wefts per inch.

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1957-118

DescriptionLarge white linen handkerchief, sometimes called a "snuff handkerchief," plate-printed with china blue in a design of the map of human life, showing areas of virtue contrasted with vice. Vignettes and routes within the central circle of the handkerchief summarize the 2 alternate journeys through life, all bordered by an undulating sprigged vine at the edges of the handkerchief. A circle in the upper left corner has the words "An Accurate Map/ of/ HUMAN-LIFE/ Shewing the Road to Honour/ And Happiness, on ye one side. &/ The Road to Destruction on ye other./ With a JOURNAL of the Voyage/ from their Embarking & Sailing through/ the Road of Love to the/ HARBOUR of MARRIAGE./ And their Journey after/ to ye OCEAN OF ENTERNITY/ by I. Goodwill,/ Geographer." Printed within a circle in upper right corner are the words: "To Carefull Parents/ Dutifull Children/ and to the Youths of/ Great Britain in General/ This Allegorical Map is/ Dedicated by their Friend/ and Well wisher the/ Author." The former owner's name and the date, E. Weston/1769, are embroidered in blue cross stitches at the upper left.
MarkingsE. Weston 1769