Towel or Napkin
19th century
Medium
Linen; silk embroidery
Dimensions
130.8 × 48.6 cm (51 1/2 × 19 1/4 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
77203
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
In 19th-century hammams, or public baths, bath towels and kerchiefs were some of the most popular and intricately made items. Bath towels were only embroidered on the edges, leaving the middle section bare for drying the body; here, someone embroidered stylized depictions of rosewater sprinklers, small bottles used to scent rooms and refresh guests in hammam and bath settings. Women wrapped kerchiefs on their heads as they transitioned to the cold room afterward. In hammams, women were able to s...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...