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Embroiderers' Guild of WA Textile Museum > Records

GENERAL EMBROIDERY, HANDKERCHIEF

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Overview

An exquisitely hand embroidered fine cotton handkerchief, China, early 20th C.

Colourful embroidered flowers and leaves in each corner, outlined in padded satin stitch, Scalloped blanket stitch edging. Areas of pulled fabric embroidery between the sprays of flowers.

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 a popular purchase to bring back as gifts when travelling overseas. Today, handkerchiefs replaced by paper tissues.

Details

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-78-2025.52

Last modified

Wednesday, 13 August, 2025

Completeness

61

Embroiderers' Guild of WA Textile Museum

Embroiderers' Guild of WA Textile Museum

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Embroidered handkerchief

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