Linen damask with Egyptian motifs; Scottish?; 1820-48c.

White linen damask with an Egyptian-style pattern. In the centre is a circular design of a central disc surrounded by a large radiating ring of lotus buds and leaves. This in turn is surrounded by a wreath of wheat, grapes, and vine leaves.
The border consists of a frieze of Egyptian motifs, recumbant lions, an ibis, and a lyre flanked by rearing serpents and a bust.
Above the border is a band of hieroglyphs and below is an edging of long and short lotus stems. In each corner is a pyramid with stars and below it a winged disc with a crescent and stars.

Given by Lord Huntingfield

Registered File no. 2836/1930. See Registered File no. 1928/10866 for a similar object. The napkins and cloths of this pattern seem to have been woven at Dumferline by Messers James Matthewson & Sons Ltd or their predescessors Messrs David Dewar Son & Sons, who were succeeded by Messrs Matthewson about 1860. Messrs Matthewson possess sample napkins of this pattern showing slight differences, but have no record of the weaving of the cloth; consequently, this pattern was probably woven before they took over from Messrs Dewar and presumably therefore the design would have been woven long before 1860, as no record exists of it at the works.

T.118-1930