Jennifer Harris' definition from Textiles-Five Thousand Years is that damask is a textile that "combines warp-faced and weft-faced twill or satin sections and is always reversible, because a pattern area with a warp floats on one side will have equal weft floats on the other."
Elizabeth Scofield and Peggy Zalamea talk about damask in their well-written book, 20th Century Linens and Lace: A Guide to Identification, Care, and Price of Household Linens: "Traditional damask has always been white-on-white. Prior to the 19th century, damask was the only linen fabric used in the dining rooms of the elite." It then became affordable as time went on and especially after the 1920s.
Did you know that in the Middle Ages, linen woven of this pattern was initially imported from Damascus, Syria? Thus the name, Damask was born.
Colored damask was used in the late part of the 19th century, but only for very informal luncheons.
Damask linens with figures are unique and very collectable, where floral designs are the most common and easily obtained. Ireland, Italy and France are now the countries where the finest damask is produced. In history, damask was the linen of royalty.
So, get out your starched damask tablecloth, and show off your china, crystal and sterling. I guarantee your tablesetting will be the talk of the family for years to come.
References:
Marsha Manchester,
Two websites you'll enjoy with more information on damask, are:
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