Napkin

19th century

Islamic, Turkish

Not On View

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About the Artwork

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Markings

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Provenance

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Published References

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Catalogue Raisonné

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Credit Line for Reproduction

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About the Artwork

In 1800s Turkey, and well before, long napkins like this one spanned across the laps of several dinner guests sitting side by side, creating a physical form of connection during a communal meal. An individual diner could have also draped this napkin across their shoulder, chest, and lap to protect clothing from drips or to use for wiping their fingertips and mouth.

Diners also employed napkins to dry their hands after washing before or after a meal. Water for handwashing was typically scented with rosewater or other perfumes, and the napkin would have absorbed these fragrances, contributing a pleasing aroma to the dining experience.

These practical dining accessories usually have detailed embroideries, adding visual details to the multisensory experience of the meal. Here, a dense design of colorful flowers, accentuated with shiny metallic threads, adorns each end.

Title Napkin

Artwork Date 19th century

Artist ----------

Life Dates ----------

Nationality Please note: Definitions for nationality may vary significantly, depending on chronology and world events. Some definitions include: Belonging to a people having a common origin based on a geography and/or descent and/or tradition and/or culture and/or religion and/or language, or sharing membership in a legally defined nation. Turkish

Culture Please note: Cultures may be defined by the language, customs, religious beliefs, social norms, and material traits of a group. Islamic

Medium Foundation fabric of plain weave linen; wool and cotton threads, metallic plat and threads; counted thread technique

Dimensions Overall: 56 × 18 inches (142.2 × 45.7 cm)

Classification Embroidery

Department Islamic Art

Credit Gift of Mrs. Isadore Levin

Accession Number This unique number is assigned to an individual artwork as part of the cataloguing process at the time of entry into the permanent collection. Most frequently, accession numbers begin with the year in which the artwork entered the museum’s holdings. For example, 2008.3 refers to the year of acquisition and notes that it was the 3rd of that year. The DIA has a few additional systems—no longer assigned—that identify specific donors or museum patronage groups. 46.340

Markings

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Provenance

Mrs. Isadore Levin;
1946-present, gift to the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan, USA)

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Exhibition History

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The exhibition history of a number of objects in our collection only begins after their acquisition by the museum, and may reflect an incomplete record.

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Published References

Komaroff, Linda, ed. Dining with the Sultan: The Fine Art of Feasting. Exh. cat., Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Los Angeles and New York, 2023, pp. 198-199, cat. no. 48b (ill.).

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Catalogue Raisoneé

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Credit Line for Reproduction

Islamic, Turkish, Napkin, 19th century, foundation fabric of plain weave linen; wool and cotton threads, metallic plat and threads; counted thread technique. Detroit Institute of Arts, Gift of Mrs. Isadore Levin, 46.340.