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Monogrammed Linen Napkin
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| Accession #: | 4283.3 |
|---|---|
| Title: | Monogrammed Linen Napkin |
| Object Type: | Napkin |
| Participants: |
Campbell, Grace M. (Fox) (user)
Campbell Family (user)
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| Physical Description: | Napkin monogrammed GFC. Ecru linen fabric napkin has perforated decorative edge and embroidered cut out design in corner. Monogram is just above worked corner. |
| Description: | Linens were key elements of the ca. 1900 dining table setting, as dinner service increasingly became more about effect than utility. Polished tables were in vogue, protected by a white tablecloth laid over soft flannel. Smaller cloths could protect the tablecloth under the carving area. Placemats, used to protect tablecloths since circa 1750, were out of fashion by the 1890s, when crumbers became popular to clean the tablecloth between courses. The final fruit and coffee course could be served on a colored cloth or a bare table protected by doilies; smaller breakfast, supper, and lunch tablecloths sometimes also introduced color. Guests used 2-3 napkins per meal - the first was usually white linen and up to a yard square; it was generally folded around bread at each table setting. After dinner napkins were removed, smaller napkins were used for fish. Doilies (white or colored, and often fringed) were used during the fruit course to wipe fingers; this protected white dinner napkins from fruit stains. Servants might also bring out finger bowls set on fruit napkins or doilies on china or glass plates. This napkin, monogrammed "GFC", was among Grace Campbell's linens. |
| Category: | Campbell Collection |
| Dimensions: |
length 13"
width 12"
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| Marks/Inscription: |
GFC
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| Credit Line: | Gift of Polly Powell, 2012 |
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https://www.northwestmuseum.org/collections