Napkin

Cotton napkin with curved sprays of large colorful flowers embroidered in two corners and blue and white crocheted edging. An embroidered message in the center reads “Tongen God minepopun metoch meinisin,” translated as “Love of God is the reason for all things.” Made in 1964 for the collector by Yomiko Raken, the best embroiderer in the village of Wonip and possibly the last person who still knew how to do the German style embroidery once taught by German missionaries at the St. Joseph school on Tol Island. Typical designs and messages were included at the request of the collector. At that time having embroidered things like these were a luxury and a slight status symbol, often given as Christmas presents.