Decorated wedding handkerchief, square shaped, of plain weave bleached linen. Three sides arrow hemmed and one is selvage.
Embroidered in multicolored cotton and silk. Along with the normal cross stitch is extensive use of chain stitch. Within a red chain-stitched border is sparse decoration: a tulip variant is embroidered near each corner, and a symbol similar to an infinity symbol is located along the center of each side.
"CATY CASSEL 1808" extends along one side of border. A multicolored alphabet is done in upper-case script along two sides (except for a distant 'z') and 'a b c d' in lower case script is embroidered near one corner.
In 1997 exhibit "Just For Show," Tandy Hersh noted that scholars are puzzled by the presence of decorated handkerchiefs among the Pa. Germans. They are very rare. This is one of only 20 that have been documented. In Europe, handkerchiefs celebrated betrothal or marriage. It is unknown if the tradition continued in America, though one handkerchief made in 1787 in Warwick Twp. is associated with the maker's wedding. Tandy notes the Pa. German women produced handkerchiefs between 1768 and 1830. Motifs were apparently arranged so that they could be viewed from all four sides.
(Written by Wendell Zercher.)
Provenance
The Wedding Handkerchief is one of five items given to the society by Hampton C. Randolph, Sr. of Lansdale, PA, in 1997.
Clarke Hess purchased from dealer, Jean Cook, who states this came out of a home in Montgomery County. Hess then sold to donor. Cassels were living in both Mongomery and Lancaster Counties.
