Servet van linnendamast met dessin Marguerite c. 1904

This is a linen damask napkin with a Marguerite design, crafted by Cornelis van der Sluys. The square form is softened by the intricate floral pattern. The tactile quality of the linen invites a sensory engagement beyond mere visual appreciation. The design features daisies and foliage woven in a subtle interplay of raised and lowered surfaces. This detailed patterning suggests an engagement with the principles of structuralism. The napkin, typically a mundane object, is elevated through its design. It transcends its utilitarian purpose to become a site of aesthetic contemplation. The monochromatic palette, while understated, serves to emphasize the texture and the dimensionality of the weave. This napkin challenges our assumptions about value and artistry in everyday objects. The careful arrangement of botanical motifs reflects a semiotic encoding, where nature is not merely depicted but also symbolically represented. It invites us to question how meaning is constructed through both design and utility.