Redwork Splasher Page
A Short History of
Redwork Splashers
by Patricia Cummings
photos by James Cummings
“Splashers,” made of linen and sometimes called “show
towels,” had a very practical purpose in the late nineteenth century.
They kept walls from being splashed with soap and water. Splashers were hung
or draped from a
 horizontal dowel which some wash stands had, as a feature.
Some antique splashers that I have found have holes in the corners, the
direct result of having been tacked directly onto the wall with nails or
thumbtacks. Washstands were
popular before
“modern plumbing” came into being and reflect a time when the
custom was to wash up by using this small table that contained a pitcher of
water and a basin.
Simulated Washstand
Washstands were of different configurations, and ranged
from small, homemade ones, to elaborate fancy, carved oak stands. Some of
these units had enclosed cabinets on the lower part and this type of unit
served a dual purpose by also providing an area to hide the chamber pot when
not in use during the day. Washstands often have towel bars on either side,
another area where the ladies could place their embroidered designs in the
way of small hand towels or monogrammed larger towels.
Many splashers depict a water scene of some kind, such
as: children swimming, chicks floating in a hat, or dogs fishing from a
bridge. Also popular were sailboats, cattails, and water lilies. The latter two
were considered to be very “artistic” and were included in many other
Redwork designs, too.
In one splasher in my collection, black silk was used to
stitch the design. Be careful though not to call that Blackwork which is an
entirely different kind of stitching that has a long history of its own. A splasher
in my collection was rendered in black thread, making it look unstitched,
from a distance. I prefer to call the piece, "Redwork in Black."
Today, some needleworkers like to re-create these “pieces of the past” for
the sheer enjoyment of doing so.
"Chicks in a Hat"
Design Area is 21 1/2" by 10"
"Sunflower Girl"
Design area is: 19 1/2" by 12"
"Good Morning"
Design area is: 28" by 15 3/4"
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