Napkin

This handwoven linen damask table napkin was one of series probably made in Edinburgh between around 1740 and 1750.

The napkin is woven along the border with the names Mr Thomas Ruddiman and Ann Smith, who married in 1729. Napkins with names woven in were a specifically Scottish feature between around 1700 and 1770.

Philologist and Jacobite Thomas Ruddiman (1674-1757) began a printing business in 1712, producing the works of Allan Ramsay. From 1728, he was joint printer to Edinburgh University and from 1730 to 1752 Chief Librarian of the Advocates' Library.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-099-491-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1982.826 B
• Date: Between around 1740 and 1750
  c. 1729
  
• Material: White linen damask
  
• Dimensions: 1005 mm x 820 mm
  
• What:
• Subject: European Costume : textiles
  
• Who:
• Where: Scotland
  
• Event:
• Description: White linen damask napkin woven with baskets of flowers and the names 'Anne Smith' and 'Mr Thomas Ruddiman': Scottish, about 1729
  
• References:
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