1997
Heraldic Linen Damasks
Three Centuries of Woven Stories

The Abegg Foundation owns one of the world’s most important collections of historical linen damask with over 1700 objects. The exhibition showed 40 pieces from the late 16th to the late 18th century with heraldic motifs.

In the 15th century, a new industry grew up and flourished in Flanders and in the Netherlands under the Dukes of Burgundy: linen damask weaving for the ceremonial table. Until the introduction of the Jacquard loom in the 19th century, linen damask was very expensive and therefore a preserve of the higher social classes. For representational purposes, heraldic motifs often appeared on tablecloths, serviettes and hand cloths. The sets of many pieces were generally made to mark special occasions, such as weddings or political events. Unlike many other textiles, the year of production of these linen damasks can often be dated precisely.