"Perugia" tablecloth fragment, Cl. 23888 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

"Perugia" tablecloth fragment, Cl. 23888 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

"Perugia" tablecloth fragment, Cl. 23888 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

"Perugia" tablecloth fragment, Cl. 23888 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

"Perugia" tablecloth fragment, Cl. 23888 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

"Perugia" tablecloth fragment, Cl. 23888 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

"Perugia" tablecloth fragment

Description

On display - room 19c

15th century

Late Middle Ages

This tablecloth fragment is representative of textile production that originated in central Italy in the 13th century, possibly in Perugia. It is white linen with plain blue stripes or stylised motifs at the ends. Used in northern Italy and southern Germany for domestic or liturgical purposes, these "tablecloths" or napkins are often represented in Italian paintings of the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. The tablecloth fragment at the Musée de Cluny has the additional interest of presenting a rare pattern of unicorns facing each other, alternating with trees of life.

From one artwork to another

Tenture de la Vie Seigneuriale, La Promenade, Cl. 2178 © GrandPalaisRmn / Franck Raux

La Vie Seigneuriale

Début du XVIe siècle

Pilgrimage badge, Notre-Dame, Cl. 4697 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Pilgrimage badges

13th century - 14th century - 15th century