Damask napkin from the Imperial House of Wilhelm II around 1900

This rare damask napkin from the German Imperial House dates from around 1900 and bears the crowned monogram “W” for Wilhelm II. as fine white embroidery. The combination of high-quality damask fabric and the imperial monogram makes this textile an authentic piece of evidence of courtly table culture from the late imperial era.

In the imperial household, such napkins were part of the furnishings for the representative tables in the Prussian and imperial palaces. During meals, they were traditionally placed over the knees and served for discreetly dabbing the mouth. At the same time, they were part of the elaborate staging of courtly hospitality and reflected the high standards of etiquette and representation.

Rare piece of evidence of imperial table culture

Historical table linen from the Imperial House is significantly rarer today than porcelain or silver. Due to regular use, frequent washing, and heavy wear, many pieces were worn out, repaired, or eventually discarded over time. Original napkins with the imperial monogram therefore belong to the particularly sought-after objects of the Imperial era.

The finely executed embroidery underscores the high quality of workmanship and the association with the courtly environment. Such textiles provide a rare insight into the everyday life of the imperial court and complement collections of imperial table silver, KPM porcelain, court linen, and Prussian memorabilia in an ideal way.

Dimensions and condition

Dimensions: 73 × 73 cm

The napkin is in good condition. The fabric is torn in two places. In the area of the embroidered monogram, the embroidery has pressed through the fabric; there is a small defect there, which probably arose from frequent ironing over the course of use.

Despite these age-related signs of wear, this is an extremely rare and authentic collector's item from the circle of Emperor Wilhelm II.