What are these

My first reaction is tea cloths (small tea table), due to the mirrored patterns (I have some some place). But that size is also common for lady's scarves (used as an accessory as opposed to a cold weather item). Can't determine it the fabric is too thick for that.

 

NICE......your close up pictures tend to make me think too thick for silk, BWDIK too!!!!! Either/Or what Mansons said?????

 

Shawls.
Either for wearing.
Or there were also Piano Shawls for the top of upright pianos. Folded to make a triangle with the point draped down toward the keys.

 

I am not discounting either possibility, but 40" square is a bit small for a shawl, and when folded triangularly the pattern would not be oriented "correctly". And I would expect longer fringe on a piano scarf. But then again, life seldom lives up to my expectations!

 

??? I realize the swaz was used many many years in all countries but would this be German Japanese alliance type of thing?

 

Due to the way each pattern is oriented and the frayed edges all around, I'd think they were each once one side of a pillow.

 

I thought pillow at first as well (self fringe got me there at first), but re-thinked it when I considered the size - 40" square pillow? most i have seen were closer to about 60cm. And again, I have that orientation issue with the pattern. The orientation of the swastika is all wrong for the regime. Theirs was oriented on a corner and open on the right, not on the left such as these.

its a puzzler, sur'nuff..............

 

I have sewn pillows 40" large back in my younger years of sewing. They were great for tossing on the floor when I didn't have enough seating room.

 

But I can hardly see anyone creating "floor space seating" for early 20th century guests................unless you were a crass bohemian!

 

Great close-up shots! We await her verdict!

 

silk can be thin or thick..

 

Are they printed? Woven? Embroidered?

 

Pull a few of those loose threads then burn them . If they smell like burning hair,they are silk .

 

Because of the bands of color on the backs, I would guess that both are machine woven tapestry. They might be covers for wooden boxes or chests - tea, calligraphy, treasure - like that.

 

The technical term is hangs-around collects-dust or hangs-around looks-cute. Depending on who you ask. I suspect they were for decoration and didn't have a practical use.