Handkerchief
Date1795-1810
OriginAmerica or England
MediumCotton
DimensionsW: 39 3/4"; L: 37 1/2"
Credit LineBequest of Grace Hartshorn Westerfield
Object number1974-377
DescriptionSquare kerchief or neck handkerchief of lightweight plain-woven cotton, block-printed in a design consisting of a central rondel, with corner sections and borders of exotic flowers with rigid stems, and a field of small repeating blossom motif in rows. The design is printed in madder colors with yellow, green,and black on natural tabby cotton ground. Narrow hems and selvages as edge finishes.Label TextNeck handkerchiefs, or kerchiefs, protected women’s chests from exposure to cold or excessive sunlight and offered modesty when fashion dictated low necklines. This kerchief was block-printed as a large square intended to be folded into a triangle when worn.
ProvenanceEX Coll: Mrs. Jason Westerfield
1750-1820
ca. 1800
ca. 1910
1780-1785
1740-1800
1795-1825
1774-1780
1780-1783
1765-1775