Decorative ornament - Italy - Linen Centerpiece Table Runner

Exclusive and refined center runner from the early 1900s, entirely handmade on a base of precious antique linen with the characteristic flame-like, sturdy weave of period looms.

The piece stands out for a decorative technique that is now practically unobtainable: appliqué embroidery. The petals of the flowers (in warm burnt orange and ochre tones) and the leaves (olive green) are not simply embroidered, but are made up of cut fabric inserts, applied and finished onto the linen one by one with tiny, dense manual securing stitches. The interior details of the flowers are enhanced by a dense, three-dimensional two-tone knotted stitch and by tendrils in stem stitch.

The perimeter is entirely finished with an elegant colonette openwork stitch, expertly executed by sliding the fabric thread by thread, with perfectly squared corners.

The millimetre-precise cleanliness of the reverse side (visible in the attached photos) is the “proof of nine” that certifies the authenticity and the high level of execution of the handmade work, free of fraud or machine industrial steps. The piece presents in an exceptional state of preservation for its era: the fabric is solid, the thread colors are vivid and there are no aging stains, halos, or tears. A collectible piece ideal for lovers of antique textiles and of antique design.