Civil War Period Printed Handkerchief 

$425.00

1 in stock

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SKU: PER 490 Categories: , ,

Description

Civil War Period Printed Handkerchief 

 

A wonderful and visually striking Civil War period printed cotton handkerchief, retaining strong original color and an exceptionally attractive mid-19th century design.  

 

Printed in a rich red with contrasting cream decoration, the design features repeating paisley devices, stylized floral forms, circular ornaments, and an elaborate wide border. The combination of the bold field and intricate border is characteristic of the colorful printed textiles popular during the Civil War era, when handkerchiefs were both practical personal possessions and fashionable accessories. 

 

Handkerchiefs were ubiquitous among Civil War soldiers and civilians, yet their very utilitarian nature meant that most were heavily used, worn out, or discarded. Original examples surviving with strong color, substantial fabric, and such an elaborate period pattern are increasingly difficult to find. Unlike military equipment produced specifically for service, personal textiles such as this provide a particularly intimate glimpse into the everyday material culture of the 1860s. 

 

An outstanding Civil War textile, impressive both for its large size when unfolded and its remarkably bold, decorative appearance. A superb surviving example of an object that was once commonplace but is now decidedly scarce in this state of preservation. 

 

Inventory Number: PER 490

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Red square cloth with a beige border, decorated with beige floral patterns in the center and beige circles and small motifs along the border.
Red and beige square cloth with a border of red dots and a central pattern of beige floral motifs on a red background.
Square red cloth with cream border, featuring a pattern of cream paisley and floral motifs in the center and circles along the border.
Square red cloth with a gold border, decorated with a grid of gold floral patterns in the center and gold dots around the edges. The fabric appears slightly wrinkled.
Red cloth with a yellow border, decorated with repeating floral and paisley patterns in yellow, arranged in rows, with visible creases on the fabric.
Red and yellow textile with a repeating paisley and floral pattern in the center and a decorative border featuring geometric and floral motifs.
Red cloth with a beige border, decorated with a pattern of beige paisleys and flowers in the center and dots on the border. The fabric is slightly wrinkled and laid flat.
Red fabric with a cream border, featuring a repeating pattern of cream paisleys and floral motifs in the center. The border has a row of large red dots spaced evenly.
A red and beige textile with a floral and paisley pattern, featuring a beige border with red circles and a central field of repeating beige motifs on a red background.
Red square textile with a gold floral pattern in the center and a gold border featuring polka dots and crescent shapes. The fabric appears slightly worn and is photographed on a white background.
Red and beige patterned fabric with paisley and floral motifs, featuring a border with circular and paisley designs. Some visible stains and signs of wear.
A square red cloth with a cream decorative border and paisley floral patterns, displayed flat in a black frame.

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