Rare, unusual and interesting antique costumes and textiles; for museums and collectors looking for that extra special piece, for new and established collectors and for those with a modest budget who want to adorn their person or home.

SOLD

Turkish Towel Yaglik
19th c

Good colours and design. Love the trees. Reversible embroidery. This would look good on a table or chest.



Guests in Turkey would be offered water to wash their hands and yagliks to wipe them. When everyone sat cross legged at low tables, yagliks were also used to cover their laps from spills.  They were also used to wrap items such as an important letter, sum of money, present, jewellery, gift of fruits or sweets, an article of clothing - all wrapped in an embroidered yaglik or bocha (square cloth). The richer the wrapping the greater the compliment.* In wealthy households, as soon as a girl was old enough she would learn embroidery and start preparing for her trousseau and her home furnishings. 


Cataloguing

Each end with arcading containing large flowerheads in stylish vases, with a pointed tree emerging from the arcading, using yellow, terracotta, pinky brown, blue, green silks and with gold metal strips worked through the natural muslin linen ground, silver wrapped silk.



37 x 16 1/2 in; 94 x 42 cm


Condition

One very small minor mark to one side.


Comments

*Flowers of Silk and Gold. Sumru Belger Krody.



Turkish Embroidery Pauline Johnstone.