Handkerchief

Art Historical Context

This delicate handkerchief, crafted by an unknown artist during the third quarter of the19th century (circa 1850–1875), exemplifies everyday elegance from a probable Philippine cultural context. Made from vegetable fiber—a natural plant-based material common in tropical regions—it hails from the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection, now housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute through a 2009 gift. In the mid-19th century, Philippines were under Spanish colonial influence, where such handkerchiefs served as practical yet refined accessories for both men and women. The use of ...