Tablecloth c. 18th century

This simple, undated tablecloth was crafted by an anonymous maker. It's a large expanse of white, unassuming in many ways, yet it speaks volumes about the domestic sphere. Consider the historical context of anonymous craft. Often, these objects were made by women, their labor and artistry overlooked, uncredited, deemed less valuable than the work produced in the public sphere. The tablecloth then becomes a symbol of gendered labor, a quiet testament to the countless hours spent maintaining a home, nurturing a family, and upholding societal expectations. The stains, barely visible, hint at meals shared, stories told, life lived. The act of preserving such an everyday object elevates the mundane to a place of honor. It asks us to consider whose stories are told and whose are forgotten. The tablecloth invites you to reflect on the labor, love, and lives woven into its threads.