8 late XIXth Century linen tea towels ( 4 with M.B. initials & 4 with M. initials ) - Textile - 78 cm - 55 cm

8 late XIXth Century Hemp tea towels ( 4 with M.B. initials & 4 with M. initials ) - Towel - 78 cm - 55 cm
Hemp is the same species of plant as cannabis.
It can be and is now refined into a variety of commercial
items including and such as rope ,paper, clothing and textiles.
It appears to crease less than linen does for ladies clothing.
In the 19th Century hemp was used particularly for tea towels
as the fabric once woven was and is extremely durable and strong.
These tea towels have been, as far as I can make out never used.
These tea towels have become very " en Vogue " in France, woven in the late 19th Century..
However not many sets are available and have become very rare now
as not large quantity of hemp was woven in the 1900's.
Being hemp, the superb cream colour will stay and this is one of its charm.
Please consult the last photo for the shade.
The initials are of course hand embroidered .
There are 4 tea towels with M.B. initials
and 4 tea towels with M.initials.
PLEASE NOTE:
These photos were taken from a earlier set,
and the 8 hemp tea towels in this auction are
100% identical other than 4 hemp tea towels are
with M. initials and 4 with M.B. initials.