Red and White Table Napkin c. 1939

This red and white table napkin, by Arthur G. Merkley, is a delightful exploration of pattern and domesticity. Just imagine the care and precision involved in creating these intricate motifs! I can almost see Merkley, carefully mapping out the design, balancing the central image of the bird with the symmetrical border. The red and white are so striking together, and that fringed edge adds such a tactile quality. It reminds me of folk art traditions, where everyday objects become canvases for personal expression. Maybe Merkley found joy in elevating the mundane, transforming a simple napkin into a work of art. It speaks to the human desire to find beauty in the ordinary, and that's something I really connect with.