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Catharina Martin’s “show” towel of 1847 is a rather typical example of the embroidered towel form as interpreted by Mennonite needleworkers both in Pennsylvania and Waterloo. Cross-stitched predominantly in red and blue on hand woven linen, the towel is divided into panels by fringes and “border” embroidery patterns and is finished off with a simple self fringe. The balanced design with its flower forms, peacocks and centred “O Edel Herz” admonition is sparer in its elements than many of its Pennsylvania counterparts of the period.