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

including twenty-five large cloths largely with floral and fruit designs, some with swags and bows, one with 'boullework' style design, together with a mixed collection of smaller cloths and napkins, including a group of rectangular plain pulled work edged linen napkins, some worked with whitework 'CC' or crowned 'CC' monogram,
(96)

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



The 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 most of them 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



2 Grapes and vines design cloths: both woven in selvedge with 202 ROYAL MANUFACTORY ARDOYNE 202: both with red work crowned C. 6. 70 laundry mark
(approximately 366 by 275cm); overall very good condition;
(approximately 366 by 277cm); some dirt on past fold edges. 



2 Trumpet flowers design cloths (overall design no borders): both with red work crowned C. 2. 21 laundry mark
(approximately 216 by 176cm); overall good condition, some rust spots in areas;(approximately 475 by 273cm); overall good condition, rust spots across square surface area where once folded. 



2 Lily of the valley and freesia cloths: both with red work crowned CC. 6.70 laundry marks;
(approximately 362 by 270cm); dirt and rust spots in one corner especially, and in centre from past fold edge;
(approximately 363 by 275cm); some rust spots. 



1 Swags and bows design cloth: (approximately 266 by 195cm); rust spots on several past fold edges and outer edge.



1 Boullework design cloth: with whitework CC, (approximately 227 by 363cm); white not cream in colour, dirt on past fold edges and circular shaped tea coloured stain in centre.



1 Acanthus design cloth: with red work crowned C. 3.45 laundry mark (approximately 439 by 274cm); overall very good condition, minor dirt on past fold edges.



1 Taffeta effect and floral design cloth: with whitework CH and CC (approximately 274 by 215cm); dirt on some past old fold edges, worn corners and edges and some darns.



1 Fruit and chains (plus four matching napkins) design cloths: with whitework crowned CC (approximately 415 by 204cm); some rust spots and dirt on past fold edges; Together with nine matching large napkins



1 Calla lily design cloth: with whitework crowned CC, H.12 laundry mark (approximately 366 by 268cm); overall good condition, some minor dirt on past fold edges.



1 Rosehip and daises design cloth: (approximately 217 by 169cm); shabby, stained, not good condition.



1 Rose and bows design cloth: (approximately 390 by 212cm); overall good condition, some dirt to past fold edges.



1 Large trumpet flower design cloth: with whitework crowned CC, H.12 laundry mark (approximately 357 by 268cm); minor dirt on past fold edges, some minor rust spots and small darns in areas.



1 Medallions and trumpet design cloth: woven selvedges with WALPOLE BROTHERS LTD MANUFACTURES, with whitework crowned CC (approximately 448 by 230cm); overall very good condition, minor dirt.



1 Trellis, vines, bows, acorns design cloth: BANQUETING, with redwork crowned C. 6.45 laundry mark (approximately 656 by 275cm); overall very good condition, minor dirt to past fold edges. 



2 Cherries, fruit and Greek key design cloths: both with whitework crowned CC: both dark cream colour overall;
(approximately 289 by 170cm); dirt on past fold edges, not very good condition;(approximately 223 by 181cm); rust spots on past fold edges, darns and small holes, generally thin



1 Large melon, passion fruit design cloth: with whitework crowned CC (approximately 380 by 216cm); white colour, some rust spots on old fold edges, dirt on old fold edges.



1 Wreath and bellflower design cloth: with small whitework crowned CC (approximately 220 by 168cm); dirt and rust spots on past fold edges, small splits, and long irregular crescent shaped repair to tear in one corner.



1 Basket of flowers design cloth: BANQUETING, woven selvedges with WALPOLE BROTHERS LTD MANUFACTURES BELFAST DUBLIN AND LONDON, with whitework crowned CC (approximately 725 by 228cm); overall good condition, minor dirt and some small rust spots.



2 Scrolls and floral design cloths:  both with woven selvedges with 301 ROYAL MANUFACTORY ARDOYNE 301, and both with redwork crowned CC. 6.70 laundry marks;
(approximately 364 by 275cm); with dirt and rust spots on some past fold edges;
(approximately 368 by 276cm); very small darn in one corner, some tea coloured stain on past fold edges.



1 Acanthus design cloth (approximately 160 by 80cm). Photographed on the dining room table at Horsley in the catalogue photographs.



NAPKINS & SMALL CLOTHS (not all measured)



16 Mixed fern pattern napkins (two designs); (approximately 37 by 37cm); mixed condition, some frayed;
7 Ivy leaf and floral pattern napkins;
6 Mixed fruit (mainly melon) pattern large napkins; with whitework crowned CC (approximately 95 by 76cm);
3 Large `C’-scroll and anemone napkins, with whitework CC;
2 Calla lily pattern napkins;
1 Floral and lambrequin pattern napkin;
1 Anthemion and star pattern napkin, with whitework CC;
1 Cartouche pattern napkin;
1 Small spheres and fleur-de-lys pattern napkin;
1 Bamboo pattern napkin;
11 Plain linen with running pattern pulled-work border napkins, with whitework crowned CC (approximately 63 by 42cm);
16 Plain linen with running pattern pulled-work border napkins, with whitework crowned CC set at angle in corner (approximately 63 by 44cm);
5 Various patterned overall pulled-work small cloths



Together with Two embroidered muslin square pillow slips, centred with cartouche with HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE. VICTORIA, and centred by a harp and dated 1897, with four-sided outer lace frill, plain back (each approximately 62 by 62cm); both with tea coloured stain to harp design, one with hole in harp design, and small holes in frill.



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."