Towel c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have a "Towel" woven in the 17th century by an anonymous artist. The indigo blue patterns against the plain ground are quite striking. What strikes me is its simple beauty, and I'm curious about how everyday objects like this circulated culturally at the time. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Well, let's think about the function of a towel. It implies a degree of cleanliness, doesn't it? But beyond the purely practical, textiles like this were powerful signifiers. Who had access to them? The quality of the dye and the complexity of the weave indicate a certain level of prosperity. Can you imagine where this textile might have been displayed or used, and what that tells us about social class? Editor: I can see that now, it suggests more than basic utility. I imagine this hung in a wealthy household to show the refinement and wealth of its owners? Curator: Precisely. And beyond that, the motifs woven into the textile – those repeating geometric shapes and stylized flora and fauna – they're not just decorative. They often carried symbolic weight, reflecting belief systems, social values, or even political allegiances of the time. Editor: So it's like a coded message woven into fabric? It makes me wonder who was weaving this! Curator: Exactly. And by thinking about who created it, for whom, and in what context, we begin to unravel its historical significance. A simple “towel” becomes a rich source of information about a specific culture and time. What do you think the imagery could symbolize here? Editor: I hadn’t thought about a towel being that revealing about the values of a past time. Now, looking closer, the woven symbols could signal particular family lineage. Curator: Exactly! Seeing this ordinary item now, it allows us to weave together threads of culture, history and artistry that bring the past a little closer. Editor: That’s fascinating; I’ll never look at a towel the same way again!