Tea Towel Collection (#3)

Black, white and tan English Cocker Spaniel sitting with tea towel in mouth

Blewits and boletes laid out on tea towel-covered tray for drying

Using clean white tea towel to dry heap of bulgur wheat, close-up

Preserve-making equipment, including pan, spoons, sieve, grater

Pile of red chilli peppers arranged on a tea towel, on a chopping board, with some flower pots nearby

Dried blewits and boletes laid out on tea towel-covered tray

Jars of home-made orange and ginger marmalade on a tray, wooden chair nearby

Roast butternut squash with ginger, red chillies and mint, in a baking tray, close-up

Fittleworth Womens Institute canning tomatoes at Mill House, September 1949 George Garland Collection West Sussex Record Office Ref No: Garland N32343

Porridge in a pan. For the porridge being cooked, see image P920/0857

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"Tea Towel: A Versatile Kitchen Essential Through Time and Cultures" From preparing a meal in Japan during the late 18th century to serving warm biscuits in the 1920s, the tea towel has been an indispensable tool in kitchens worldwide. This humble piece of fabric has witnessed countless culinary creations and artistic moments. In Kitagawa Utamaro's woodblock print "Preparing a Meal, Japan, c. 1798/99, " we catch a glimpse of a woman using a tea towel to dry her hands while she skillfully handles ingredients. The tea towel not only serves its practical purpose but also adds elegance to this scene from traditional Japanese cuisine. Fast forward to the early 20th century, where screen prints like "Woman Serving Warm Biscuits" showcase how tea towels became intertwined with domesticity and hospitality. With delicate patterns adorning their surface, these tea towels were not just functional but also decorative pieces that added charm to any kitchen. Artists have also found inspiration in the simplicity of everyday objects such as bowls of fruit or blueberries. In still life paintings like "Still Life with Bowl of Fruit" (1912) and "Bowl Of Blueberries; Quebec, Canada, " these vibrant fruits are often depicted alongside a trusty tea towel – perhaps used for cleaning or protecting surfaces from spills. The versatility of the tea towel extends beyond cooking scenes; it even finds its way into advertisements and illustrations. An advert for Vinolia soap from the early 1900s features an elegant lady holding a bottle with one hand while grasping a tea towel with pliers on another – showcasing its multi-purpose nature beyond drying dishes. Moreover, historical events capture glimpses of how tea towels played unexpected roles outside home kitchens. From John Tenniel's satirical illustration titled "Humble Pie (.