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Barber's Apron 1951-482
Barber's Apron
Barber's Apron 1951-482

Barber's Apron

Date1750-1775
MediumTabby cotton, block printed to form with pencil blue and overprint green.
DimensionsOW: 34" X 49 1/2" Selvage W: 34"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1951-482
DescriptionLarge flat, rectangular apron with curved cut-out for neck, printed on white cotton with central flowering tree, four clusters of flowers in corners, and a 3" floral border around all edges. Tape ties at neck.

Construction History:

1. 1750 -1775: Initial Construction
2. May 20, 1954: Cleaning, repairing, restoring by Ernest LoNano for Margaret Hunter Shop.
Label TextShaving or Dressing Apron
Probably France, 1750-1775
Cotton block printed and mordant painted with pencilled blue and overprint green, marked with silk cross-stitches
1951-482
Gentlemen wore aprons to protect their clothing while getting shaved or having their wigs powdered. The block-printed textile in this example imitates more expensive Indian chintz textiles. The initials L. H., probably indicating the printing firm, were incorporated in two places during the printing. Meticulous cross-stitched initials and the number 3 are worked into one corner to help identify the owner after the apron was sent out for laundry.

MarkingsTwo partial marks within oval/square reserves in lower hem; indecipherable.
KC1975-840
1740-1750
2009 Record shot by L. Baumgarten. Apron, detail.
1740-1775
2009 Record shot by L. Baumgarten. Pocketbook.
1700-1750
D2005-CMD-011
1750-1770
1950-268, Pocketbook
1771 (dated)
1950-261, Pocketbook
1770-1800
1950-262, Pocketbook
Ca. 1770
1950-258, Pocketbook
1770-1800
1950-264, Pocketbook
1771 (dated)
DS1997-0496
ca. 1770; remade second half of 19th
KC1975-593
ca. 1770; altered 1870-1885.
Apron 1952-67
1770-1785