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

including twenty-four large cloths, with fern designs, and quantity with various birds and flowers, and one 'chinoiserie' style cloth, together with a mixed collection of smaller cloths and napkins, including thirty-two rectangular plain pulled work edged napkins, some worked with whitework 'CC' or crowned 'CC' monogram (illustrated)
(86)

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 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



3 Marquetry star & interlocking design cloths: with whitework crowned CC
(approximately 263 by 263cm); overall good condition, some dirt on past fold edges;(approximately 270 by 273cm; CC but no crown); overall very good condition;
(approximately 352 by 262cm; CC but no crown); some dirt and rust speckles on past fold edges.



1 Chinoiserie design cloth: (approximately 263 by 263cm); ragged edges, shabby, not good condition. 



1 Large leaf design cloth: (approximately 270 by 269cm); ragged edges, splits in centre, dirt and rust on past fold edges. 



1 Overall fine fern and trellis design cloth:  (approximately 215 by 210cm); shabby condition, not good overall. 



2 Little fern design cloths:
(approximately 275 by 274cm); shabby and dirty overall.
(approximately 320 by 212cm); some stains and rust and dirt on past fold edges. 



2 Large fern design cloths:
(approximately 355 by 222cm); some dirt and rust on past fold edges.
(approximately 268 by 276cm); some dirt and rust spots on past fold edges. 



2 Fern and spandrel design cloths: with redwork crowned C.3.83.
(approximately 316 by 262cm); some dirt and rust spots on past fold edges;(approximately 310 by 262cm); some dirt on edge.



1 Another fern design cloth (approximately 342 by 212cm); darns, splits, dirt to past fold edges, old faded red stain (food or wine). 



1 Fern birds and flowers design cloth: with blackwork crowned C.4. (approximately 390 by 218cm); dirt on past fold edges, and rust spots across square section (top of folded cloth in past). 



1 Pond life design cloth: (approximately 264 by 255cm); dirt to old fold edges.



1 Pond life design cloth fragment: (approximately 247 by 230cm); reduced size, ink mark.



1 Water weed design cloth: with crowned whitework H.12.CC (approximately 364 by 274cm); overall good condition, some dirt. 



1 Birds, heron, hens design cloth: with whitework crowned CC (approximately 560 by 222cm); overall good condition.



1 Birds and bamboo design cloth: with redwork crowned CC laundry mark (approximately 445 by 222cm); overall good condition, darn in one corner. 



1 Swan, deer and bird design cloth: (approximately 556 by 222cm); overall good condition, minor rust spots;



2 Peacocks and feather design cloths: with redwork crowned C. 6. 45.
(approximately 374 by 265cm); some rust and spot marks overall.
(approximately 374 by 268cm); some dirt on past fold edges.



2 Deco swallow and stripes design cloths: with whitework CC (one with ink crown one without)
(approximately 375 by 278cm; ink crown); some dirt on past fold edges;
(approximately 278 by 278cm; no crown); some dirt and rust spots on past fold edges.



NAPKINS AND SMALL CLOTHS



14 Lily pattern overall and border napkins (approximately 55 by 50cm); with darns, rust spots, some very bad condition.



12 Plain linen with running pattern pulled-work border napkins; with whitework CC (approximately 60 by 45cm); good condition.



11 Plain linen with running pattern pulled-work border napkins; with whitework CC (approximately 56 by 37cm); good condition.



9 Plain linen with running pattern pulled-work border napkins; with whitework CC (approximately 76 by 50cm); good condition.



7 Overall fleck pattern with pulled-work border cloths; some with whitework crowned CC, others just CC,
with 4 matching napkins (three with whitework CC ).



3 Floral pattern large napkins (various designs).



2 Geometric and marigold pattern small cloths.



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."