Tool (for textiles) (Textile printing block)

Description

This is a wooden print block used for printing on textiles. It is comprised of a wooden base affixed to a second, thinner piece of wood, with a design carved in relief. The design depicts a curved banner with the word “SUPERFINE” across its center. Long flowing ends hang down from the left and right sides of the banner, and there are flowers behind it. “A.W.” is written in ink on the back of the block. This block was likely used for stamping on bolt ends or fabric samples, as an indication of quality, rather than as part of a printed pattern. This object is one of a large group transferred to Winterthur from the American Textile History Museum when it closed in 2017.