ROYAL Antique Mourning Handkerchief Collection, 19 Pieces with Württemberg Monograms, c. 1900

This rare group of 19 predominantly men’s handkerchiefs from the Kingdom of Württemberg, dating to around 1900, offers a remarkable insight into aristocratic textile culture of the late 19th and early 20th century. Made of cotton with black borders, these handkerchiefs were likely intended as mourning handkerchiefs, as suggested by the faded black edging visible on several examples. The collection shows varying sizes and states of preservation, reflecting their individual age and use.

A particularly important subset consists of six finely folded handkerchiefs embroidered with the personal monogram of Duke Robert of Württemberg. Among the remaining thirteen larger handkerchiefs, there are six different monograms, each placed beneath the Württemberg royal crown, underscoring their noble provenance and connection to the royal household.

Such monogrammed mourning textiles were costly and produced in limited numbers, making surviving examples especially desirable for collectors of royal memorabilia, Württemberg history, and 19th‑century aristocratic textiles.

These handkerchiefs come from the estate of the Kingdom of Württemberg, Stuttgart, and were acquired together with other exceptional pieces from the estate of Dr. Alexander Eugen Duke of Württemberg (1933–2024).