A group of damask linen table cloths and napkins, Northern Europe 19th century

including twenty-two large cloths, of which five cloths are woven with Egyptian motifs, one with equestrian racing design, others with geometric designs or plain stripes, together with a mixed collection of smaller cloths and napkins, woven with Greek-key patterns, or plain stripes, and two pulled work linen table runners; some worked with whitework 'CC' or crowned 'CC' monogram, (90)

Most of the cloths have elaborate border designs and many have complimentary single medallion/or several medallions in the main field, with space around. Very few have a pattern across the whole cloth.



The brief descriptions below are for guidance as to the theme of the design, and not full descriptions. There is a small group of napkins with this lot. However they do not match any of the main cloths listed, and the condition does vary.



Many of the cloths have embroidered white-work cyphers including crowned interlocking `C’s (so CC) or crowned CH, and a few have both.



Many of the cloths have laundry marks – which are either embroidered in black or red, and some are stitched woven tape. (Some have later extra red laundry numbers and initials in corner, just simply stitched in long stitch for ease in corners). 



TABLE CLOTHS: 



5 Egyptian design cloths: with red work crowned C. 6. 45 laundry mark;(approximately 392 by 272cm); with ink mark, centre on side edge;(approximately 261 by 212cm); hole in centre, darns, not good condition;(approximately 385 by 274cm); darn, ink mark, dirt on past fold edges;(approximately 442 by 272cm); black mark, small rust spots, dirt on past fold edges; One Egyptian design cloth on view at Horsley on the dining room table (not measured). 



1 Jockey design cloth (equestrian racing design): (approximately 264 by 217cm); holes, small tears in corners, dirt on past fold edges. 



2 Acanthus leaf design cloths: both woven in selvedge with IRISH LINEN DOUBLE DAMASK: (approximately 225 by 176cm); tea coloured shaped stain in one corner;(approximately 225 by 176cm); overall good condition



2 Fretwork design cloths: embroidered red work crowned C. 6. 45 laundry mark (approximately 384 by 275cm); overall very good condition, minor darn to repaired tear in one corner; (approximately 474 by 276cm); overall very good condition, slightly ragged corner and some dirt. 



1 Vase and large leaf design cloth: with white work interlocking CC (approximately 466 by 272cm); overall very good condition. 



1 Rose & geometric design with hearts in the corner, BANQUETING cloth:(approximately 838 by 374cm); overall good condition, very minor rust spots in areas. 



3 Guilloche strapwork design cloths: woven in selvedge with IRISH HAND WOVEN LINEN DAMASK: With white work crowned interlocking CC(approximately 640 by 227cm); overall good condition, some dirt on past fold edges; (approximately 543 by 225cm); also overall good condition, some dirt on past fold edges; (approximately 543 by 222cm); again overall good condition, some dirt on past fold edges. 



1 Scrollwork & geometry design cloth: with white work CC (approximately 260 by 260cm); some darns and holes.



6 Striped cloths (alternating gloss and matt appearance): with white work CH (approximately 806 by 272cm); BANQUETING); overall good condition;(approximately 844 by 277cm); BANQUETING dirt and rust spots on past fold edge; (approximately 404 by 250cm); dirt on past fold edge, split in one corner, small darns;
(approximately 304 by 237cm); dirt on past fold edge; (approximately 378 by 228cm); dirt on past fold edge;
(approximately 496 by 272cm); dirt and area of rust spots across top of past folded surface (approximately 74 by 52cm).



NAPKINS, SMALL CLOTHS & RUNNERS (not all measured):



19 Greek-key pattern napkins: with whitework CC (approximately 49 by 47cm);
19 `C’-scroll and flower pattern napkins: with redwork crowned CC laundry marks (approximately 31 by 31cm); some very stained;
18 Plain with striped edge pattern napkins: with whitework CC (approximately 59 by 57cm);
3 Chequer pattern pulled-work cloths (all approximately 145 by 144cm); plus 1 matching napkin;
5 Greek-key and ivy pattern napkins;
1 Plain linen runner with running pattern pulled-work border (approximately 227 by 50cm);
1 Another plain linen runner with running pattern pulled-work border, with whitework CC (approximately 223 by 51cm);
1 Small striped pattern cloth (approximately 165 by 163cm).



See condition report.

All linen cloths need laundering. As all these cloths are woven with natural fibres, they can be cleaned. Dependent on the stain they would need water or chemical cleaning. With a few exceptions, most are in good condition. Most have some dirt to edges from past folding and past storage. Most are a lovely creamy colour, a few exceptions are brighter white (from laundering), most are silk linen damask, with a few being linen damask. Due to storage folded, some have dirt on the folds created by past fold edges, and when open this can be in strips in different parts of the cloth, and for most it affects edges or top surface created when folded. The type of marks found on some cloths include: some surface dirt, rust marks (from damp – which appear as tea coloured speckles, some tiny, some more obvious), some wear, weaker areas, minor ink marks, darns (some tiny and some larger), especially on edges and in corners, small tears in edges, some small holes or splits, some small food or wine stains.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."