Domestic object - Haberdashery, napkins damask, early 20thC

Historical information

Damask is a reversible figured fabric of silk, wool, linen, cotton, or synthetic fibres, with a pattern formed by weaving. Damasks are woven with one warp yarn and one weft yarn, usually with the pattern in warp-faced satin weave and the ground in weft-faced or sateen weave. Damasks derive their name from the city of Damascus - in Middle Ages it was a large city active both in trading, as part of the silk road, and manufacture. By the fourteenth century damasks were being woven on draw looms in Italy. Modern damasks are woven on computerized Jacquard looms. Damask weaves appear most commonly in table linens and furnishing fabrics, but also in clothing. The Damask weave is used extensively throughout the fashion industry due to its versatility and high quality finish.

Physical description

6 white damask, dinner napkins with varied patterens

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