7张20世纪中期的亚麻布贴花餐巾，手工刺绣。 - 餐巾 - 39 cm - 37 cm

Exceptional Set of 7 Dark Blue Cotton Napkins with White Appliqué

This is a beautiful and unusual set of seven dark blue cotton napkins, each finished with delicate white appliqué work.

In linen and textiles, appliqué is a decorative technique in which pieces of fabric are carefully layered and stitched onto a base fabric to create patterns, texture and relief. The word derives from the French verb appliquer, meaning “to put on” or “to apply”.

I have to confess that these are not the sort of napkins I would ordinarily choose to present, but I find the workmanship, and above all the final effect, quite breathtaking.

Each of the seven napkins is slightly different, lending the set a charming individuality. The delicate white fabric, meticulously layered against the deep blue cotton, creates an almost three-dimensional effect, bringing the little white flowers to life against their dark background.

One can only imagine the hours of patient work required to achieve such an immaculate result. This is clearly a labour of love, where skill, precision and an eye for detail have combined to create something quite extraordinary.

And it is the contrast that makes these napkins so remarkable: the purity of the little white flowers against the richness of the dark blue ground. The effect is striking, elegant and, quite simply, phenomenal.

A distinctive and characterful set of cotton napkins, sure to make an impression when laid on the table.