Flea Market Item 26-324

Antique French Embroidered Net Tray Cloth – c.1910–1930

A wonderfully delicate French oval tray cloth worked on very fine cotton net, with a border of beautifully embroidered flowers, leaves and trailing stems. 

The floral motifs are densely filled with fine cream silk or lustrous mercerised cotton thread, creating an almost satin-like surface against the transparent net ground.

The close-up reveals particularly lovely workmanship, with finely worked filling stitches following the shape of each petal and leaf and small knotted details forming the flower centres. A gently scalloped embroidered edge completes the piece.

This style of fine net embroidery was popular for dressing tables, tea trays and small occasional tables during the Edwardian and interwar period.

Date: approximately 1910–1930

Size: approximately 52 x 27cm long, judging from the 20 cm ruler shown.

The soft ecru colouring and signs of age are part of its antique character. It has one small hole. A beautiful piece to preserve intact or a wonderful source of delicate embroidered motifs for textile and slow-stitching projects.