Towel c. 19th century

Curator: Before us is an object with deceptively humble designation: a towel, crafted sometime in the 19th century. It’s held in the collection here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Editor: Humble indeed! It feels so intimate, doesn’t it? It’s whispering stories of daily rituals. But then, the colors...that muted rose and gentle teal... it gives a strangely calming presence to an otherwise functional object. Curator: These apparent contradictions between utility and artistry make textiles a fascinating field for cultural study. Textiles occupy a critical intersection between everyday life and visual expression, with production and acquisition wrapped up in class dynamics. We’re considering much more than just an ordinary towel, here. Editor: I see it. Suddenly it's not just a towel, but an artifact laden with significance! Looking at it, the wear and age make it seem more like a shroud than something for drying your hands. Is that just me? Curator: It could be many things. Shrouds weren't usually decorated in quite this fashion. Its survival points to value. We see decorative arts like this were once the purview of wealthy merchants and gentry—but its creation and ownership may also signal rising aspirations of less affluent households, hoping to elevate their domestic environments and reflect social status. Editor: Yes. You are right. I also noticed there are floral motifs that seem so meticulously crafted and precise! I wonder who did them? I also wonder if its aesthetic represents more than the aspiration towards upper class belonging. What else was communicated with the care given to this object? Curator: Precisely! Craft traditions vary globally, with guilds playing crucial roles in controlling standards and techniques in European societies, while women often held prominent roles in weaving and embroidery in other regions. This towel, and other objects like it, is representative of the globalization and commercialism of craftsmanship, demonstrating increased focus on market accessibility for many of its kind. Editor: That's amazing, that this object has so much history ingrained in its fibres. And in my case also that I projected the thought of passing away onto this old towel. Curator: Well, I can tell you it certainly has made me rethink the historical forces woven into it. Editor: Absolutely. It transcends the object itself and points to cultural and socioeconomic landscapes.