Towel 1850 - 1900

Here at the Art Institute of Chicago is a Towel of unknown date and maker. The textile's composition is clearly divided into two distinct zones: the upper is plain and worn, while the lower is decorated with an elaborate floral border. The floral decoration at the bottom provides a visual contrast that underscores the signs of wear and use in the plain upper section. The eye is drawn to this border, questioning its function. Is it merely decorative, or does it serve a deeper purpose of signifying value? This contrast introduces a semiotic system of signs, where the formal elements of the towel—its textures, the applied floral patterns—become signifiers of meaning. The materiality of the towel, evidenced by its stains and wear, speaks to the physical and historical processes that shaped it. It's not just about aesthetics but about understanding how these formal qualities operate within a broader cultural context. The floral border, then, is not just a decoration, but a marker of status, heritage, and identity.