8 vintage French LINEN TEA NAPKINS doily mats OPENWORKS c1930

Antique napkins, towels and tablecloths date from late 19th century, early 20th. They can be hand embroidered with high relief bourdon stitches and cross stitches monograms, in white and sometimes in red yearn. They are usually woven in damask, a weaving technique that produces a reversible fabric with an elaborate glossy pattern against a matte background. Check, roses, flowers and leaves, crowns, art nouveau, patterns weaving are gorgeous. Antique towels and napkins are made from the best linen quality, with a silky touch due to the high quality long linen fiber. They are very durable textiles that become wonderfully supple with time. Ideal to wash warm and perfect to use everyday, they are great also for period textile projects.

In France, for ages, young girls have prepared their wedding trousseau weaving, embroidering and sewing the fabric and clothes embroidered with their maiden name. The linen remain their only possession. Workers or peasants had only one set of work clothes. They had to repair holes and tears inherent in their hard work. Also their home had only one or two bed sheets. These beautiful hand embroideries or patch work allowed the fabric and the garment to exceed the life expectancy of people. Likewise patina is a sign that these gorgeous linens have lived and crossed the times by transforming, softening themselves.

Antique linen is a living material, if you treasure it, it will reward you a hundred times. A lot of antique textiles are so robust and wonderfully easy to wash and maintain. The fibres of these exceptional fabrics were grown without any use of chemical, these textiles are organic. No need to use chemicals to wash antique textiles, a good simple natural soap such as the savon de Marseille is fine for every kind of linen. The textiles can be machine washed on warm. The warmer ithey will be washed, the softer and floppier they will turn. Again, no need to use a softener, a dash of white vinegar or a spoon of baking soda are perfect to maintain these wonderful textiles. Dry them on the line if possible, expose them under sun light to brighten the natural white.

The textiles I propose show signs of times, marks that are a moving, precious treasure which attests a bygone era. I will always try to describe them as accuratly as possible, giving many details, measurements and pictures to show the reality of the linen. Estimating the age of a fabric is not scientific but rather archeologic, many signs are useful, such as the stitches, the embroideries, the sewing, the colour, the texture, even the smell of the fabrics can help. Sometimes, the auctionneers or the owners give me precious information about the origin of the trousseau, monograms, name of the ancestors. Experience is also crucial to feel and judge the fiber content, the age, the origin or the use of the textile. I will strive to describe the textiles in the most complete way, using my honest judgement, having spent many years manipulating them.

Please note my textiles come from a smoke free house. When they are freshly laundered, the textiles have been washed with natural organic soap and sun dried on line . I recently started selling my treasures, new items will be on sale very often, so please keep your eyes peeled!

Items are sent carefully wrapped in silk paper. I am happy to ship worldwide and will mail your parcel with tracking within 2 business days after your purchase. I use the french international shipping service with insurance that takes around 5 days to fly to the United States or Japan with zero custom charges. I will send you information just after the parcel has been sent. I politely ask that all items should be paid within 5 days. I'm making every effort to provide you with high quality linens. However, in case of real big problem with your purchase , I will refund you once you have returned the goods in their initial condition (your shipping needs to include tracking). Please note that your shipping fees will not be refunded.