End of a Towel-scarf c. 19th century

This ‘End of a Towel-scarf’ was crafted anonymously, using embroidery on woven cotton. The ground is a plain weave, likely produced on a mechanized loom. The textile is then embellished with hand-stitched floral motifs and a border pattern, using colored threads. The material combination reveals how the industrial and the handmade intertwine. Notice the contrast between the regularity of the woven cotton and the irregularities of the embroidery, where the maker was able to exercise their creative freedom. The floral pattern, carefully stitched onto the cloth, infuses an element of the personal, as do the choice of colors and the composition. This textile reflects the global exchange of goods, and the expression of individual skill and artistry within everyday life. It’s a reminder that even the most functional objects can be vehicles for human creativity. Appreciating the labor and materials involved challenges the division between art and craft, and highlights their intertwined histories.