HANDKERCHIEFS...SCENTED REMEMBRANCES OF LIFE
Some records suggest that the eighteenth century English exchanged tiny, three to four inch square handkerchiefs, with tasseled corners as "love tokens." Most of the handkerchiefs available to collectors today date from the nineteenth century forward. Although the centers of fine hand lacemaking were located in Europe, American retailers were avid importers of lace handkerchiefs. As early as the 1860's, upscale New York department stores sent purchasing agents to travel extensively to Europe to seek out artisans, or to commission designers to produce exclusively for their stores. This practice continued well into the twentieth century with many wonderful lace handkerchiefs finding their way to this country.
References:
Braun-Ronsdorf, M. History of the Handkerchief Leigh-on-Sea
Levillier, J. The Handkerchief in History Connoisseur Vol. 96, pages 274-279
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The copyright of the article HANDKERCHIEFS...SCENTED REMEMBRANCES OF LIFE in Antique Linens/Textiles is owned by Joan Lawrence. Permission to republish HANDKERCHIEFS...SCENTED REMEMBRANCES OF LIFE in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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