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R.2004-154
Embroidered Hand Towel by Mary Rhein
R.2004-154

Embroidered Hand Towel by Mary Rhein

Date1818 (dated)
Artist/Maker Mary Rhein
OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Berks County, Womelsdorf
MediumCotton embroidery threads on a linen ground
DimensionsOL 30 3/4" x OW 12 1/8"
Credit LineGift of Mrs. S. Byron Downing
Object number1975.610.1
DescriptionThis is a linen hand towel embroidered in faded red cotton threads. It is hemmed at top and bottom with a 1/8" flat hem. Five inches of the middle section is composed of drawn work. A delicate net-like surface is created by removing warp or weft threads of the cloth. Two roosters (or peacocks), crosses, and a flowering tree (tree of life motif) are stitched onto the drawn work with heavy cotton thread. Above this, the initials "P G," a slender stem with flowers, and two squat flower motifs have been worked in cross stitch, spaced evenly across the top. Below the drawn work is the date "1818" worked in cross stitch in red cotton. Two small strips of drawn work are found near the border of the towel divided by a narrow row of embroidery resembling a chain. The bottom edge of the towel has been self-fringed, while the top edge has a crocheted border, which is a later addition.

Stitches: cross, drawn
Label TextFamily tradition attributes this hand towel to Mary Rhein of Berks County, Pennsylvania. The custom for young, unmarried women to decorate hand towels with embroidery was common in both Germany and Pennsylvania, especially in Mennonite families. Making a hand towel was part of mastering sewing skills and developing self control--important lessons for young women who were soon to become wives, housekeepers, and mothers. More often they were made in anticipation of marriage as part of the household linens required to set up housekeeping. Intended to beautify a home rather than for actual use, decorated hand towels were usually hung for display on the living-room side of doors between the kitchen and living room, or stove room. Frequently painted blue or red, these doors showed off the prettily embroidered white towels to their best advantage.
Markings"P G" "1818"
ProvenanceThe hand towel descended in donor's family. Per donor as stated in a memo to file from Beatrix Rumford dated June 24, 1975: The towel was made by Mary Rhine (or Rhein) of Womelsdorf, Berks County, Pennsylvania.