* A GROUP OF SIX OTTOMAN EMBROIDERED TOWELS   Turkey, late 19th - early 20th century Comprising an oblong panel of green linen with ends worked in a variety of stitches in silks and silver metal tape with stylised flowers and spraying branches, 42cm x 148cm; a large towel with ends worked in flat-worked gold metal tape, and silver wire thread and pink, green, and maroon silks with boucle knots with birds on branches, the ends edged with croche ribbon, 84cm x 207cm; a small towel, the ends with couched floss silks and metal thread with a simplified floral frieze, 39cm x 104cm; an oblong panel of finely-woven natural linen with ends cross-stitched in coloured silks with repeating diagonal floral sprigs, 28cm x 194cm; an incomplete towel, with one end cross-stitched in bold colours with naive flowering vases, 40cm x 98cm; and a gauze cover, worked in metal thread with stars and scallops in the border, flowering bouquets in the corners, and small dots in the field, 118cm x 136cm. Provenance: Swiss private collection since late 1970s.