DRAWN THREAD, HANDKERCHIEF

An exquisitely hand embroidered dainty fine lawn handkerchief, early 20th C in pulled thread and drawn thread.

Handkerchiefs were an important accessory for men and women through the ages. The handkerchief, prominently displayed, became an outward indicator of gentility, aristocracy and elegance. The notion of ‘one for show and one for blow’ became well established.

Beautiful embroidered hankies, were popular gifts to family and friends in early 20th century. Today, handkerchiefs have been replaced by paper tissues.

About the handkerchief

Kerchiefs, is derived from the French, ‘couvre-chef’, meaning covering for the head.

The pocket handkerchief is about 400 years old, but its history goes back to Classical Greece and the Roman Empire. It was first mentioned in literature by the poet Catullus (87-57 B.C.) and written about in great detail by William Shakespeare in his play "Othello" - the handkerchief given to Desdemona by Othello. Roman games were signalled to begin when a handkerchief was dropped and waved by spectators to show their approval.

Before the 16th C, the cotton handkerchief was used purely to absorb perspiration off one’s hands and face or over the mouth in bad weather. Later, it became a decorative accessory by men and women, a reflection of one’s status in society.

The handkerchief, prominently displayed, became an outward indicator of gentility, aristocracy and elegance. The notion of ‘one for show and one for blow’ became well established. In Victorian times, many household items were duplicated – china, teapots, aprons, tablecloths and handkerchiefs – one for daily use and one for best.

This too was a time when the art of flirting was complex and handkerchiefs played an integral part of this drama. Young ladies would accidentally drop their monogrammed hankies or leave them behind as a clear signal that the attention of a particular young man would not be unwelcome. The lost handkerchief provided the perfect excuse to deliver the wayward item to its owner.

A Victorian bride frequently carried a silk-lined drawstring bag inside which was tucked a lace trimmed handkerchief, often a family heirloom – ‘something old’. Many of these fine handkerchiefs would have been received as presents, a tradition which continued until the 1950s and the advent of paper tissues.