Set of Six Late 19th/Early 20th Century Possibly Russian Cream Linen Hand Towels, embroidered to both ends in red, blue and yellow ochre with eagles, birds animals grazing, crosses on a decorative border, initialled to the centre, 115cm by 66cm; and Two Faded Examples (8)

The initials belong to William Frederick Webb (1829-1899) who resided at a local country house, in North Yorkshire. Webb entered the Army after an education at Eton, but did not stay long, however he did serve in the Crimea at some point. He resigned his commission as a Captain in the 17th Lancers to go to South Africa, where he became a close friend of the explorer David Livingstone.