White woven lengthwise piece (both side edges are selvedges). Beautifully embroidered (6" long x 7" wide) white work monogram sewn in white cotton thread with satin, stem, buttonhole stitches and French knots. 2 inches below, trimmed with overcast. self-fringe. 1-inch wide drawnwork (bundles of 6 threads wrapped in center). 1/2" from edge is a 1/2-inch wide drawnwork stripe with single thread woven alternately by 2 central threads.
Center length (exposed) and another lengthwise fold are brown. Significant hole to one side of monogram. 2 other holes. Self-fringe edge is worn with fabric fraying in 2 places.
White damask handtowel. Lengthwise rows of bud-like flowers, light blue woven areas. Chain down sides, floral vine along both edges. Wider band of rosebud vines below. Both ends have multi-knotted fringe. At center bottom of one end, 'A' embroidered in w
White cotton monogrammed hand towel. 3 1/2" tall "A" stitched in the center of towel 6 inches from the bottom. Done in white thread (satin stitch, eyelet) with flowers and eyelet holes.
3.5-inch long drawn-thread panels on both ends. Knotted self-fringe of criss-crossed groups of threads.
About 40 inches, not including the fringe. Total length is 44 inches.
Condition
Good/fair
Condition Date
2018-02-07
Condition Notes
Towel has been folded in 3 sections--tears in drawn-thread panels along folds in 3 places. Exposed top length has yellowed. Lower edge next to fringe has been repaired in one spot. Hard to see, but looks like selvedge edges may have been overcast.
Object ID
W.1989.241.001
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
White damask handtowel. Poinsetta-like flowers. Bottom has triple-band border (3 1/2 inches high) woven in red across the width. Self-fringe, hand-knotted, may have been 3 1/2 to 4 inches long on both ends.
Pair of white damask linen hand towels. White damask with designs in border of diagonal lines, meander, and scrollwork. Also has stylized palm design and, in rows down center, vines with fuschia-like flowers. Fringed around edges, longer on short ends. '
Provenance
Belonged to Harriet Lane Johnston, passed to May Kennedy (Harriet's cousin), passed to Julia Kennedy (Taylor) (sister), passed to Taylor daughters, passed to donor (Edmund R. Taylor III).
One of three linen handtowels. White damask with thinly hemmed edges (c. .125'). Meander border with foliate design and center panels of ivy leaf border, meander dividers, and strawberry vines. 'HLJ' at bottom center in white with pink circle accents.
Two linen handtowels. White and blue damask with border pattern of leaves, berries, and chain designs. Border is blue. 'HLJ' monogram embroidered in white, outlined in blue.
Provenance
Belonged to Harriet Lane Johnston, passed to May Kennedy (Harriet's cousin), passed to Julia Kennedy (Taylor) (sister), passed to Taylor daughters, passed to donor (Edmund R. Taylor III).
White plain weave fringed hand towel. 2 rows (1/8 inch wide) of drawn-thread work, 4 1/2" and 2" from lower fringed edge. 1/4' hem on lower edge with self-fringe, 2 1/2" long, bound with white thread. 1/8-inch rolled hand-stitched hem on 3 sides.
Two white linen towels with red, blue, and gold design at ends. Towels were woven using a diaper weave and fringed on their ends. The diaper weave is a tight weave that is more absorbent.
