Antique Linen Tablecloth With Gorgeous 20th Century Dimensional Cutwork

As if plucked from Downton Abbey.... 

This authentic antique linen tablecloth is strong enough for use and would be a gorgeous cloth as a backdrop to a glamorous centerpiece, such as a large floral arrangement or wedding cake. 

This fine, hand-embroidered linen tablecloth comes from a Scottish collection that made its way to New England and dates to circa 1900. 

Typically, one doesn't find a cloth so ornate and finely detailed in this size. The elegant, highly detailed heart motif is centered amid scrolls of ivy in the elaborate, fully handsewn, design. The design is worked with perfection on every side of the square cloth. The linen is quite strong and of superior quality, that is simply not found in our world, today. The master handwork is breathtaking and was painstakingly worked; hours upon hours, weeks upon weeks of time went into this exquisite tablecloth. 

This exquisite cloth is destined for a discerning collection, where it will undoubtedly become a great treasure. It is square and measures about 52 inches or 132 cm on each size. 

Vintage Lacy Counterpane, circa 1929, Signed

This exquisite vintage 1920s counterpane is a wonderful example of the fine fiber arts that women created during the Roaring Twenties and beyond. It is large enough for two and perfectly beautiful for cuddling in a porch swing on a chilly summer’s evening! 

The small blanket is entirely made by hand and is crochet work. Its date is easily recognizable through the substantial weight and quality of the crocheted cotton used to create this.  The overall pattern is in a diamond popcorn motif popular during circa 1929 (Reference “Vintage White Linens” by Marsha Manchester published by Schiffer, 1997). It weights about 4 lbs 10 oz or slightly over 2 kilograms


The counterpane was an ornamental household linen typically used as decorative cover over a bed. They were also designed as lap blankets. 

Meticulous stitching makes this a sublime example of the crochet work from this era. The counterpane is worked quite tightly so that there is no stretch nor even the slightest give to the main structure. It is perfectly shaped and features deep draping crochet lace along two sides, whereas the other two sides are decorated with deep fringe that is slightly over 5 inches or 12.5 cm in length. The counterpane is made of finely plied cotton and measures approximately 65 inches by 83 inches or 165 x 211 cm.

Upon close examination, one will realize that the edges of the counterpane contain the maker's  signature from circa 1929…her name was Barbara Paredes. Or, it could have been the name of the child for whom the mother made the blanket, as this was also common practice. The counterpane was an estate find, located near Ann Arbor, Michigan.