Embroidered Hand Towel by Barbara Ellenberger

Date1827

Artist/Maker Barbara Ellenberger

MediumCotton embroidery threads on a linen ground

DimensionsOL (w/ flap extended, including fringes): 68" x OW 18 1/4" L (w/ flap extended, excluding fringes): 65 1/4" L (w/ flap folded and including fringe): 64"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1982.610.1

DescriptionThis is a long rectangular embroidered towel worked in red, white, and blue cotton threads on a plain weave linen ground that is self-fringed in five areas. The ground consists of six separate sections pieced with linen thread; these sections measure, lengthwise, 41 1/2", 4 1/2", 2 7/8", 2 3/4", 2", and 11 1/2". A narrow band of drawn work separates two sections, and the lowermost fringe is decoratively knotted. No full selvage widths are present. Two hanging tapes sewn near the top edge were moved at some point prior to acquisition and remain in the wrong place for correct hanging of this item. All embroidery was done in cross stitch. The embroidery thread described as "pink" actually consists of separate strands of white and red used together. From the top the towel consists of:
Topmost section of about 4" in height (including fringes) folds over the front of the towel in normal hanging position. The three-part design in this section consists of two stylized floral arrangements springing from handled baskets over a triangular mass and flanking a large, central crown; each element is approximately 2 1/2" in height.
Second section consists of five stylized floral arrangements in baskets or pots, each motif approximately 2" in height.
Third section consists of 13 separate design elements approximately 5" in height; some appear to be stylized floral arrangements in pots, others have more tenuous links with naturalistic forms, e.g., chevron shapes or, possibly, flower sprigs.
Fourth section consists of three lines of the signature and date: "BABARRAE/ 1827/ LLENBERGE."
Fifth section consists of an unembroidered and undecorated area measuring approximately 18" in height.
Sixth section consists of design elements measuring overall approximately 5 3/8" in height. The center motif is an arrangement of blocks and triangular masses grouped in an overall vertical rectangular shape; this is flanked by four smaller decorative elements on either side, topmost of which are upside down hearts elaborated with extraneous embroidery. The two large, outermost designs are floral arrangements in handled baskets. At the lower edge of this section, two pieces of the linen ground are seamed, with the upper being self-fringed.
The seventh section consists of design elements approximately 3" in height; these are three large branched designs, with smaller elements interspersed. The central motif is a variant of the "noble heart" design, found on other Pennsylvania German embroidered hand towels. The linen ground is again seamed at the bottom of this section with fringing to the front.
The eighth section consists of a row of nine design elements, each approximately 1 14/" in height and forming abstract crowns alternating with small stylized pots of flowers.
The ninth section consists of rows of netting.
The tenth section consists of a row of six birds all facing left, over a decorative zig-zag embroidered border.
The eleventh section consists of nine design elements: three different types of hearts (two types appearing twice each). The hearts alternate with two types of abstract branched designs. Each element is approximately 1 1/2" in height.
The twelfth section consists of the most complex designs. There are three large branched designs, the center one being topped by a skirted female figure, the other two by birds facing outwards. Four additional birds of same basic design appear in or near branched designs and two more in or near the "lady tree." Other small abstract design elements are interspersed. At bottom is a row of decorative zig-zag embroidered border unlike the preceding border, followed by a row of self-knotting terminating in fringe.

Label TextElaborately embroidered towels such as this are often called "show towels" today, because they were seldom, if ever, intended for actual use. Instead, they were hung inside guest rooms or in communal areas of nineteenth-century Pennsylvania German households for display purposes. There, they exhibited the stitchery skills of their makers for all to admire, and their theoretical availability to guests conveyed a tacit message of the host family's generosity, hospitality, and well-being.

Near the top, this example is inscribed "BABARRAE/LLENBERGE" [for "Barbara Ellenberger"], with the date "1827" appearing between the two lines of name stitching. Ubiquitous among Pennsylvania German design elements are the stylized birds, hearts, crowns, and especially, the floral sprays branching from pots or baskets seen here. However, the Ellenberger towel combines fine workmanship with cohesive patterning and an unusual amount of decorative stitching, making it an outstanding specimen of its type.
InscribedSee signature.
MarkingsSee signature.
ProvenanceEstate of Art Freeman, Jonestown, Pennsylvania; to unidentified owner; to Susan and David Cunningham, Denver, Pennsylvania.