Thursday, 21 April 2011

French Treasure Hunt Thursday


I know I promised on Saturday to show you photos of THE most amazing tablecloth I bought in France, on Sunday, but I after the bootfair on Sunday morning I came down with a rotten cold and have spent the last few days sneezing, coughing and spluttering on the settee, feeling sorry for myself. Feeling a bit better today so I spent some time this morning catching up with your posts. when I saw that it was Treasure Hunt Thursday again on Blue Creek Home , I thought I could combine showing you the tablecloth with the Treasure Hunt, because this tablecloth really is an amazing treasure.

I have been collecting all kinds of linens and fabrics for many many years, and I can honestly say that I have never seen anything as beautiful as this. The condition of the tablecloth is fantastic, the workmanship is incredible, the pattern absolutely gorgeous. In fact, the embroidery is so masterly and unbelievably fine, I took a whole lot of photographs of the reverse, lol, and it wasn't until I went to fold it up, that I realised my mistake. The following photos really don't show the beauty of this tablecloth properly, but perhaps they show enough to give you a good idea. Click twice on the photographs to enlarge and fully appreciate the beautiful workmanship -














Isn't this 19thCentury French whitework embroidery at its finest? As you can see, it is huge, too big for my dining table, so now I am contemplating whether I ought to keep it and fondle it and drool over it anyway or perhaps put it in Vintageland. Hmm. We'll see.
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33 comments:

  1. Marie Lost Bird Studio21 April 2011 at 14:23

    Dear Liz,
    to die for - just gorgeous!!TFS.
    Have a Happy Easter.
    Hugs,
    Marie

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  2. Jennifer Pearson Vanier21 April 2011 at 14:41

    It's fabulous!! How long is it? Just curious, my table is 7 feet long. It's nice for a girl to dream, non?
    Thanks for sharing! Hope you feel better soon.

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  3. Unknown21 April 2011 at 15:13

    Beautiful! I, too, am interested in the measurements of the cloth. I've got a gigantic table and need a gigantic cloth! Your find is gorgeous!

    Sarah

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  4. Robin21 April 2011 at 16:14

    Gorgeous tablecloth Liz! I do hope you get to feeling better :)

    Hugs,
    Robin

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  5. A garden just outside Venice21 April 2011 at 17:23

    Get better soon and have a wonderful Easter..and please don't sell it, it's a shame! :)
    xxx

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  6. Serenata21 April 2011 at 17:48

    Beautiful! No other words for it really.

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  7. My Creative House 21 April 2011 at 18:44

    Wow Liz this is a gorgeous tablecloth, a real treasure, love erwhite embroidery, happy Easter.
    Anni

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  8. Tina 21 April 2011 at 20:33

    It´s so beautiful Liz.
    What a great find.
    xo Tina

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  9. Gypsea Nurse21 April 2011 at 22:16

    Absolutely beautiful...
    I have tons from my grandmother in Hungary.. but none of them are one solid color...they liked to embroider colorful flowers and such!
    Now these....
    I love the simplicity!
    Smiles~
    Cricket@ gypseanurse

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  10. alveen21 April 2011 at 22:38

    What a great find! Obviously someone devoted many hours to it. One wonders if it was a labour of love or 'paid' work. Was it for their trousseau, or a means of keeping food on the table. Did they sit and dream as they worked, or were they trying to meet a deadline. There has to be a story.
    Hope you are soon on the mend Liz, and that the easter bunny comes hopping by your way.

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  11. Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures21 April 2011 at 23:38

    What a gorgeous table cloth. It reminds me of icing on a wedding cake.

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  12. Home and Heart22 April 2011 at 00:47

    That is STUNNING! All the time it must have taken to do that gorgeous work! I have been meaning to ask, is that your gorgeous home in your header? Have a wonderful weekend!

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  13. Julia @ Vintage with Laces22 April 2011 at 05:18

    It's really a gorgeous tablecloth and it must have taken forever to embroider it. What a fantastic find, Liz! You should watch out for a table with the fitting measurments now :-).
    Hugs to you,
    Julia

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  14. Blue Creek Home22 April 2011 at 05:33

    You are not just kidding - this is definitely a treasure!
    I love vintage linens too, but I am sad to say that I don't many large pieces.
    Your tablecloth is gorgeous and I think you should fondle and drool over it for now. Could you use it as a coverlet on a bed??? How wonderful would that be!
    Thanks so much for sharing this beauty at Treasure Hunt Thursday.
    Rhonda

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  15. Sonya Badgley22 April 2011 at 05:47

    Dear Liz,
    That is the most beautiful tablecloth I've ever seen! I mean it! The embroidery work is exquisite! Oh by the way...it will fit my table perfectly. :)
    I'm sorry to hear that you are sick! Sending healing prayers and hugs your way, friend.
    Have a blessed Easter.
    Sonya

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  16. Deborah22 April 2011 at 06:22

    I agree that you could use it for a coverlet for a bed if you do decide to keep it. It is exquisite.

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  17. Unknown22 April 2011 at 07:26

    Hello Liz!

    This is so very exquisite! Just gorgeous! It has been a long time that I have seen such an extraordinary piece! Youre lucky that you found it! Sincere congratulations and I wish you a very happy Easter!

    Hugs,

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  18. Pomona22 April 2011 at 10:12

    Hope you are feeling better now. The fabrics are absolutely beautiful!

    Pomona x

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  19. Cindy Adkins22 April 2011 at 16:47

    Oh--it's so beautiful, Liz!! Totally dreamy!
    Wishing you a Happy Easter and hope you and your family have a beautiful weekend.

    XO
    Cindy

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  20. Sissie's Shabby Cottage22 April 2011 at 21:04

    Hi Liz,
    OMG! This is the most gorgeous piece of linen I've ever seen. I am drooling over it for sure. You are so fortunate to be the new caregiver of such a work of art.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  21. suziqu's thread works22 April 2011 at 22:27

    Hi Liz
    Hope you are getting your energy back again! That tablecloth is almost a "one off" - truely exquisite. The stitching is unbelieveable and I would die to know the story behind it.
    It would look lovely on a bed for sure!
    Congratulations on reaching 300 followers.
    Happy Easter,
    Hugs, Suzy

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  22. Dorthe22 April 2011 at 22:44

    Dear Liz, are you feeling good again, dear friend-? I hope so...
    Your tablecloth,are amazing- what a totally fantastic work of art,- I have never seen such a beautiful piece before.
    Have a wonderful saturday, dear.
    XO,Dorthe

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  23. Croap Queen23 April 2011 at 17:46

    Very beautiful indeed.
    Hope you're better now old girl
    JJ xx

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  24. Celestina Marie23 April 2011 at 18:46

    Hi Liz,
    Oh my how gorgeous. I just love it and it sure would be hard to part with. You may never find another like it.
    Hope your cold is better and you have a wonderful Easter.
    Hugs from Texas, Celestina Marie

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  25. TAPESTRIESOFNATURE23 April 2011 at 21:54

    THAT IS ABSOLUTELY SCRUMMIE! SO GLAD YOU FOUND IT. I REALLY MISS THE CAR BOOT SALES IN ENGLAND. I DON'T THINK I'LL BE ABLE TO HOLIDAY THERE THIS YEAR. BOO-HOO!

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  26. LiLi M.23 April 2011 at 22:03

    Sigh.....
    I don't think I could ever say goodbye to this one!
    Wishing you a happy Easter!

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  27. Lynne Moncrieff24 April 2011 at 12:39

    Hi LIz
    What an amazing find.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  28. Cindy Adkins24 April 2011 at 15:58

    Hi Liz,
    Happy Easter!!!!
    XO
    Cindy

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  29. Holly Loves Art25 April 2011 at 23:01

    Oh my goodness it is stunning! What a special find indeed.
    Cheers,
    Holly

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  30. Karen26 April 2011 at 01:12

    What was your address again? (hehehe) LOVE THIS!
    GIRL! You find the absolute BEST stuff!
    I am green here... :)
    HUGS! Karen

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  31. Karen26 April 2011 at 01:12

    PS - I think you should SELL IT TO ME!!! I have one STINKIN' HUGE dining room table....

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  32. Alicia26 April 2011 at 22:53

    QUE BORDADOS MAN HERMOSOS..!!!!!!!!!
    ME ENCANTA ESTE TIPO DE LABORES.
    NO ES FACIL ENCONTRARLOS,
    SALUDOS

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  33. Ivy and Elephants23 June 2011 at 10:31

    Dearest Liz,
    Your linens are absolutely fabulous. I was amazed at the size as well. I bet they feel amazing as well.

    Paula

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