This is a very heavy pure linen bed linen. it is one of various bed linen which came from the same source as all the others we have recently shown. The French Bourgeoisie family, who reside not far from where I live, have been left large quantities of both magnificent bed and table linen by various generations from both sides. The children, grand and great grand children are not interested as it means far too much work for them to wash, starch and iron. We have been able to discover , through the inventory ledger, the provenance of almost each bed linen but on this bed linen we have drawn a blank as there are no initials on the bed linen. This bed linen however came from the husbands paternal grandfather's family. The embroidery is magnificent and very complex. This is a typical Angle sur l'Anglin bed linen. There was and still is a small industry by the ladies in the village who were taught "how to draw yarns" on bed and table linen to create flowers , leaves, buds and other designs. This laborious and painstaking art goes back to the 17th Century and only in Angle sur l'Anglin is this magnificent embroidery done. The design is first out lined by the embroiderer prior to it going to the ladies in Angle sur l'Anglin. They then very carefully draw threads from the weft and the warp to create and fill in the design. One bed linen could take months to finish. There are now only 2 ladies left who possess this extraordinary "gift", but waiting time can be up to 2 years. The young girls in the village are not interested as it is financially not rewarding any longer which is sad. So this precious piece of art will die when the 2 ladies pass away. You will see the drawing of the yarns in both the the "heart pieces " at each side and also the centre piece where not only the flowers ,but also the leaves and buds are filled in with threads. All the other and very rich variety of pieces are embroidered in high relief. This is a one off bed linen as you will appreciate. One can immediately notice that these bed linen rarely decked the beds and were considered almost sacred pieces and would only "exit" the beautiful Normandy armoires on very special occasions. All the bed and table linen, jewellery etc.etc had to be registered in case of a divorce. The fiancé, her parents and family and even the nuns and sisters of the local convent would help out with the often complex lace making and embroidery to get it all ready in time for the big day. After the wedding and honey moon period much simpler bed linen would be used on a daily basis also because of the intensive washing procedures which were complex in those days and only on special occasions such as births, wedding anniversary etc. the beds would be decked with these precious pieces and then disappear again. These are rare pieces and the reserve prices reflect this. Vintage linen have already known a first life and can therefore have slight traces of the past. We select the items in the best possible way, with love and dedication. Honest descriptions and images gives a real vision of the items. The linen that we offer for sale is not new linen, unless specifically mentioned, it is second-hand and old linen. As such it may have already been washed, used or even worn. In spite of the great care we take during the preparation, small imperfections can and may escape us. They do not in any way call into question the unique and rare character of these wonderful pieces. I