The handkerchief, an object of intimacy

2021-10-05T19:00:56.885Z

When Molière's Tartuffe says to Dorine: “Cover this breast that I could not see, with such objects, souls are wounded, and that gives rise to guilty thoughts”, what object does he take from his pocket to tender him? A tissue ! This little piece of fabric has existed since Antiquity, since the Romans already used it. During the Renaissance, it made a strong comeback: offering it was a popular and frequent gesture. But in the middle of the 19th century, haro on the handkerchief! He is nothing more than a disgusting object, a source of infections. Until the appearance of its disposable version, back to the history of the handkerchief.