Restaurant Linen: A Rich History of Tablecloths & Napkins

Whether you are a restaurant owner or perhaps work in a food and catering environment, chances are you may not have given much thought to your use of restaurant linen. It’s even safe to say that most restaurant diner’s who have a discerning taste for a fine dining experience may well certainly dine without noticing anything on the table other than the food itself!

As with many of us, very little thought has perhaps been given to the history of table linen. However, these make up a powerful aspect of a restaurant's décor. Not only do they have the power to set the mood, but they also have the power to set expectations about your establishment’s quality

As experts in commercial linen hire, we’re firm believers in the benefits it can offer your business. Taking all of this into consideration, in this blog, we’ll take you on a journey of these essential restaurant staples and discover how vital they are now - just as they always have been.

The origins of Table Linen

Early Accounts

The earliest accounts of tablecloths in history can be found in the writings of a Latin poet, named Martial, which date all the way back to approximately 100 AD. It was suggested that they were used to sop up spills and keep the tables organised and clean.

Later on, in the Medieval Ages, people liked to look as affluent and ostentatious as they possibly could. As such, the basic tablecloths of earlier times were replaced by those with ornate designs, intended to match the furniture they were used to cover.

Throughout this period of history, when everything was symbolic as a status symbol, the ideal tablecloths of the wealthy were as white as possible, adorned with woven patterns, embroidery fringes or a combination of these.

Victorian Era

Just like in earlier history, Victorian tablecloths were used to provide a layer of protection for costly furniture in restaurants as well as the home.

This is the real reason they were used, unlike a longstanding myth that has subsequently been refuted by many historians - that the use of tablecloths were popular in this era to cover the bare legs of their tables, as these were seen as ‘scandalous’ by the upper-class member of a prudish Victorian society.

Funnily enough, the industrial boom of the Victorian era hugely influenced the use and production of tablecloths, as well as various other table linens.

Modern Times

As time moved forward, the styles and design of the modern tablecloth changed as well. From the Art Nouveau style of the early 1900s during the height of the World Exposition Fairs to the creation of synthetic fibres to augment the originally 100% cotton linens.

The humble tablecloth has come a very long way to where it is today, but its main purpose remains the same: to keep dining tables clean all while giving an elegant appearance and upgrade.

It’s funny how what goes around comes back around, as nowadays simple white (much like those we offer at Stalbridge) is yet again a favourite amongst diners and restaurateurs alike. This is because of the cleanliness and elegance they provide, which reflect expectations from the food and overall dining experience itself.

History of Linen Napkins

The history of the linen napkin greatly crosses over very much with that of linen tablecloths.

Early Usage

The earliest record of napkins are attributed to the Spartans in Ancient Greece, who used pieces of dough known as an apomagdalie to wipe off food from their hands during meals.

Elsewhere, in the Roman Empire, different types of cloths were being used for napkin-related activities. This included the sudarium, which was used to wipe the face, whilst a mappa was a large cloth used for eating whilst reclined.

Slightly further afield, in Ancient China, a type of paper napkin known as a cih pha was used when serving cups of tea - in fact, this usage dates back as far as the second century AD.

17th Century

Napkin usage disappeared after the fall of the Roman Empire and people used whatever was available to clean up their dining mess.

In the 17th century, for example, forks became a staple at a large majority of dining establishments. This meant that dining was a much cleaner affair, whichsubsequently reduced the standard size of napkins quite drastically.

Whilst the ancient napkins were said to be similar in size to tablecloths, the standard napkin after the popular use of the fork was brought down to a size more similar to the napkins we recognise today.

19th Century

19th-century aristocracies in Italy and France introduced more elite etiquette rules on napkin use and more elaborate ways of displaying a napkin. Over the years, the table napkin became an indispensable part of a formal table setting.

Certain rules have come and gone and the popular use of napkins in restaurants and homes has fluctuated, but one thing has remained consistent: the table napkin is part of our dining history.

Nowadays, the cloth napkin is often seen as a touch of elegance in modern dining, hence why many restaurants include them within their dining experience. In fact, they not only offer a practical use, but an aesthetic one - often being displayed in napkin rings or arranged using origami to further elevate place settings.

Table Linen Rental Solutions

As we have established, tablecloths and napkins have been used for both practical purposes and table decoration for centuries.

The appeal of cloth table linens remains today, as both restaurant owners and guests alike can appreciate their lustre and quality. It should come as no surprise, then, that tablecloth and napkin hire is a service that many establishments require.

Here at Stalbridge Linen, we’ve been in the industry for over 40 years, so you can rest assured that we know what it takes to create quality table linens that our customers can rely on - so that your customers, in turn, can rely on you.

Our commercial linen hire services are utilised by customers that run all kinds of dining establishments across the UK, from boutique bistros to luxury restaurants. We’ve built a loyal base of customers over the years, thanks to our exceptional quality of service, reliability and a flexible method of working that ensures customers aren’t tied into long term contracts.

Get in Touch

If your establishment would benefit from our linen hire services, then don’t hesitate to get in touch today.

As well as our restaurant linen, we also offer quality kitchen and hotel linen for your convenience. So, regardless of your commercial linen requirements, rest assured that we’ve got you covered.