6 Early Damask linen napkins with B.R. initials. - Napkin - 57 cm - 65 cm

Two Sets of Six — French Damask Linen Napkins with B.R. Initials

This perfect set of 12 French damask linen napkins, embroidered with the initials B.R., has been divided into two practical sets of six.

Each napkin measures 57 x 65 cm, making them generous in size and particularly impressive on a beautifully laid table.

The fact that a complete set of 12 has survived together strongly suggests that these napkins were never used, or used only very occasionally. In a traditional French bourgeois household, it was quite normal to have several sets of household linen, carefully folded and stored in the magnificent dowry armoires. The larger the family, the greater the collection of linen.

Children often had their own initials embroidered on their personal napkins, while everyday lunch and supper were served with more formal linen. Breakfast, by contrast, could be a simpler affair, often using the familiar Napoléon III blood-red napkins.

The B.R. initials are well embroidered in soft relief, enclosed within an oval frame surrounded by delicate anemones. They stand out particularly well against the rich damask ground.

The four corners are decorated with elegant floral bouquets, complete with greenery. From each arrangement, generous sways of flowers extend towards the centre of the napkin, creating a beautifully balanced composition.

The damask itself is scattered with individual open flowers and delicate leaves, adding movement and interest without overwhelming the embroidered decoration.

A very attractive and well-designed example of French damask linen, now offered as two sets of six, making them both practical and highly decorative for today's table.