Textiles (Clothing)
Rapho township, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic, United States, North America
1768
Linen; Silk
Embroidered, Cross stitched, Woven (plain)
2013.0031.105
Object Number2013.0031.105 |
Handkerchief (Wedding handkerchief)
Textiles (Clothing)
Museum purchase with funds provided by the Henry Francis du Pont Collectors Circle
Rapho township, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic, United States, North America
1768
1. Label; Sewn on fabric label; "2013.31.105" (embroidered thread)
2. Inscription; Worked into embroidered design; "MAHN / MAR / IAH / VBE / RIN / 1768"
Linen; Silk
Embroidered, Cross stitched, Woven (plain)
Hand-embroidered
15.5 (L) , 16.25 (W)
39.37 (L) , 41.275 (W)
This is the earliest in a group of approximately fifteen handkerchiefs with decorative embroidery that were made by Mennonite women in the area of Rapho, Hempfield, and Warwick Townships, Lancaster County, PA. It is believed that these decorated handkerchiefs were made to celebrate the owners' weddings.
[Article] Hersh, Tandy. 1986 Pennsylvania German Decorated Handkerchiefs. Der Reggeboge: Journal of the Pennsylvania German Society. 20 (1): 1-15.
• Published: p. 8.
[Book] Gehret, Ellen J. 1976 Rural Pennsylvania Clothing.
• On handkerchiefs, see pp. 205-207.
[Catalogue] Minardi, Lisa. 2015 A Colorful Folk: Pennsylvania Germans & the Art of Everyday Life.
• Published: p. 18, fig. 15