This is rather romantic bedlinen with two generous Ajour de Venise borders ( open thread work ) The source of this bed linen is again from the same source all the others stem from. The chateau which is near to where I live in France. Little by little the elderly couple are sorting out their 4 generations bed and table linen. None of the children are interested in the linen as it means far too much washing, ironing etc. In a way it is such a pity they do not wish to continue with their fore fathers beautiful pieces. These kind of superior trousseaux ( dowry) bed linen were often very rarely used and for most of their lives left in the large Normandy armoires. They would have come out only on very special occasions. Instead and for daily use simpler bed linen, which stood up to harsh washing techniques would deck the numerous beds at Chateaux and Manor houses. Washing machines did not exist yet and the maids would go down on the Mondays to the local stream with baskets laden with washing. They would "pound" the linen with some strength at the smooth large rocks with the old fashioned "green soap" and then rinse the linen in often strong current streams. Once back in the half covered wash houses two staff members would get hold of the length and squeeze out the surplus water and then to be returned up the hills again and laid out on the grass to dry in the sun. And reading the foregoing you will appreciate why these pieces are still in such excellent condition and for us to continue and take care for another generation. This bed linen has a wealth of floral embroidery and exquisitely choreographed. Both corners have an elegant bouquet of open flowers held together with ribbons and bow;. Please note how well the flowers and ribbon and bow have been embroidered, not just in high relief, but also showing the the reverse of the ribbon embroidered in pin head and creating shadowy effects. The same applies to the flowers. In between the two corners and above are 5 further smallers sprays with open flowers embroidered in high relief . The sides continue with 55 cm. The bouquets are sitting in two magnificent rows of Ajours de Venise ( open thread work) . Not damaged by jewellery worn at night. Please note there are no initials and there are often reasons for this. Either the Bride to be ran out of time to have the initials embroidered. Or at the last moment the wedding was called off or s so often happened her fiancé would have been killed in the war and she was was grief stricken. On the other hand I do not think the magnificent design needs initials as it has so much to show off already and initials might have taken away from the sheer beauty. .