Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Handkerchief |
Subject |
Annual Events Cultural Events Domestic Life Personal Effects |
Category |
3: Personal Artifacts |
Sub-category |
Personal Gear |
Accession Number |
1974.016.003e |
Donor |
Arthur Bolingbroke |
Description |
Silk handkerchief with lace edging. Holly painted on one corner with green leaves, and red and white berries embroidered in silk . "Merry Christmas" written underneath. |
Provenance |
This beautiful lace-trimmed silk handkerchief is embroidered with red and white berries. The green holly leaves and the wish for a "Merry Christmas" are painted on. It was most likely not intended to mop up sweat or aid a runny nose given that it is made of silk. A handkerchief as nice as this one would have been purely for decorative purposes, such as a pocket square. While very few carry handkerchiefs nowadays, a few decades ago anyone could tell you that hankies should be kept out of sight in an inner jacket or back pocket, while pocket squares were meant to stick out of a man's breast pocket. This fine and delicate piece of cloth would have been perfect festive addition to a dapper outfit, and may very well have been a simple yet thoughtful handmade gift. |
Accession number |
1974.016 |