19th C. Ottoman Snuff Handkerchief

A loosely woven linen handkerchief probably introduced to the Ottomans from Byzantium. This double sided textile was created for use as a snuff handkerchief. The ground material is decorated in resist dye technique with red and blue green spheres in a diagonal over all design. The process is similar to batik.
The dark black or brown ground indicates that it was made as a snuff handkerchief so that it would not show the snuff stains.
The border pattern on the two ends have been over-embroidered with a wonderful metal and silk floral motif.