Can anyone suggest where I might buy some large linen damask napkins!Either new or old, preferably old.
I've been keeping an eye on TM but they are far and few between, and I've learned at my expense that many sellers think that "linen" means anything made out fabric (rather than paper I suppose).
The only source I've been able to find so far is enormously expensive Irish textile manufacturers.
nanasee1,
Oct 17, 2:22am
I often see them in the hospice style shops - if you have any near you they would be worth checking.
davidt4,
Oct 17, 2:28am
Thanks.Yes, I visit our local St Vincent de Paul shop regularly, but they don't have much in the way of napery.Maybe I should look in more affluent suburbs!
indy95,
Oct 17, 2:33am
"Antiques" and/or collectables dealers and Hospice or maybe other opshops are probably the best sources nowadays. As you said many people don't appear to know what linen or damask is. Edited to add your idea of checking in the more affluent suburbs is good.
"Linens & More Damask - Rose Napkin Beautiful white damask napkins, that will set the scene. •100% Cotton Damask •Machine Washable •Price: $19.95"
Hope that helps.:-))
245sam,
Oct 17, 2:56am
oops Helen, I missed the word 'cotton' in the quote from Ballantyne's website - I still think though that it may be worthwhile enquiring as to if they have, or can obtain, exactly what you're wanting. Keep an eye-out here on Trademe for Maudes (Nurse Maudes on-line shop) - you may like to receive the e-mails re the items they sell that are only available on-line i.e. not in their shop which only sells clothes and accessories.:-))
buzzy110,
Oct 17, 3:22am
At the end of the main shopping precinct in Onehunga and then a few shops further along on the right side going toward One Tree Hill is a fabulous OP shop. It is slightly more upmarket than our grubby little St Vincent De Paul.
I have some that I never use. They are probably going brown along the folds. I bought them in good faith as damask from Smith and Caughey but I've never believed they were. Do you need to buy some or do you just want to borrow them for a special occasion!
davidt4,
Oct 17, 4:24am
I'll check that OP shop out.Thanks.
It's not for a special occasion, just that I want to increase my rather motley collection because I like to use them.
Incidentally as far as I know damask is the weave, with the patterns in.Linen is the fibre, but as far back as I can remember table linen has referred to any cloth used for tablecloths, serviettes or placemats.It could be cotton, synthetic or even rayon.
davidt4,
Oct 17, 4:59am
Thanks olwen, but It's large linen damask that I'm looking for.Those are really small - 6" square!
Yes, damask is the weave.I think the use of "linen" for all fabrics is fairly recent - the terms that I was taught for tablecloths and napkins are "mercery" and "napery".
olwen,
Oct 17, 5:40am
I'm over 60, and when I grew up it was all table linen.
olwen,
Oct 17, 5:43am
Can't think of damask dinner napkins without thinking of a comedienne (Joyce Grenfell!) who did a piece trying to buy a double dozen of double damask dinner napkins.She ended up giving up the battle and asking for 24 serviettes.
shop-a-holic,
Oct 17, 5:47am
Davidt4
I collect antique linen and have stacks of it. I will have a hunt.starting tomorrow.I went the Linens and More route with the damask cotton ones, and then got my husbands family crest embroidered on them.So when we're entertaining, he just goes for those now.
I'm pretty certain I have linen and lace ones from Belgium which may be suitable.
I'm just a bit stetched for time this evening, but if appropriate, I can post pics here tomorrow. cheers
Thanks Sarah, the Amazon link looks good.(Unfortunately the fine print of Milford House states "Our damask is poly cotton ".)
sarahb5,
Oct 19, 2:35am
Happy to help - I have some genuine damask table cloths that I inherited from various grandmothers, aunts, etc. and they look beautiful when they're on the table but I rarely use them because I don't want to get them dirty after all the hard work of ironing them!
kinna54,
Oct 19, 3:09am
David that brings back memories.My mum had her own damask cloths that she used in her catering business, and sadly I have only 1 left which I won't part with for sentimental reasons. I still remember her painstakingly starching and ironing them. There is an Op shop here in Palmy that I think is run by Methodist services! that specialises in vintage goods and cloths. I think it used to be in Cuba St !Other Palmy people may know! I know there is one called "Treasure Within" but not certain if that is the same one. Maybe worth a try. Good luck with your search.
punkinthefirst,
Oct 19, 3:22am
Davidt4 - have you tried Hotel and Restaurant suppliers! Surely someone must still be supplying our poshest hotels and restaurants with the genuine article! OR. you could buy some linen damask and get someone to sew you a number of the size you want.
elliehen,
Oct 19, 10:12pm
The 'linen' lexicon has changed over the years, as all language does.I searched 'table linen' and got 826 returns but a search for 'napery' returned only 2.Similarly no one calls a bus an 'omnibus' nowadays and a bus is often called a 'coach'.The changes are fascinating because they represent change in society.
Hope it's sorted!At least one of the links looked promising :)
I saw some linen napkins at a fair today at Portrush Antiques in Nelson. Try mariet at ts dot co dot nz.
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