These are 5 METIS napkins. The definition of Metis is that the fabric is an composition of 65% linen and 35% cotton. This particular fabric was invented in the late XIXth Century in France and the reason being as there were no "luxuries of washing machines yet the fabric was "the work horse" for the French. In other words it had to stand up to harsh washing techniques. The staff would go down to the local stream with wicker work baskets laden with washing which would be pounded against the smooth rocks to be cleaned. Once rinsed in the flowing and clean water two staff members would squeeze the bed linen etc. and then "hoist" again the rather heavy baskets up to the Chateaux and Manor houses and spread the linen on the meadows to be dried by the sun. The initials G.B. are sympathetically embroidered in high relief and in the classic English script and clearly stand out from the background. 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 present you our French Antique linen unwashed, as taken out of the armoire, unless otherwise described . It is all clean, but plan to give it a wash before use. Please be aware of the above before you bid and buy. Thank you for taking this into account