Servet van linnendamast met aardbeien c. 1878 - 1945

This linen damask napkin with strawberries was created by Chris Lebeau. Linen damask is a woven fabric prized for its intricate patterns and subtle sheen. The process begins with flax plants, whose fibers are spun into a fine, strong yarn, then woven on a loom. The strawberries are rendered using the damask technique, where the pattern is created by the weave itself, playing with light and shadow. The cloth is reversible, with the design mirrored on the opposite side. Producing linen damask involves significant hand labor, from cultivating and harvesting the flax to spinning the yarn and weaving the fabric, skilled work that has historically been associated with women. Objects like this napkin represent a connection to the natural world, and an appreciation of the labor involved in their creation. Recognizing this link encourages us to reconsider traditional craft practices and the social conditions of their making.