Antique Linen Damask Tablecloth with Red Pattern Darning, circa 1900

Description and Details

A small antique linen damask tablecloth, circa 1900, with exceptionally fine red pattern darning. The white linen ground has a subtle woven snowflake motif, with extensive borders hand-worked in red using a counted-thread damask darning technique. The stitching lies flush with the ground and is so precise that it has the appearance of a woven brocade or jacquard pattern.

The detailed borders depict Renaissance-style figures, including heralds blowing trumpets, archers, prancing horses and stags, with dense scrolling foliage at the corners. At the centre is a padded, hand-embroidered B monogram crowned with stylised fleurs-de-lis. The reverse is remarkably tidy, further evidence of the embroiderer's skill.

This is the only example of this style of embroidery, worked to this standard on a finished cloth rather than a darning sampler, that I have come across. The technique is familiar from the school darning samplers of the 18th and 19th centuries.

The cloth came to me beautifully laundered and starched and has not been laundered again since. It is in excellent, barely used condition and measures 84 × 72.5cm (approximately 33 × 28.5 inches).