Embroidered Handkerchief

Cleveland Museum of Art

The Embroidered Handkerchief by an unknown artist is a square piece of fabric with a light-colored, possibly white or beige, linen center. The center of the fabric features a plain, smooth area with visible creases. The edges of the fabric are adorned with intricate, symmetrical lacework in a light beige or off-white color, The lacework consists of eight identical sections, each featuring a floral pattern with curved lines and shapes. The lace sections are arranged in a radial pattern, with each section separated by a small gap. The outer edge of the fabric is scalloped, with a wavy pattern. The background of the image is solid black, providing a stark contrast to the light-colored fabric.