Table Cloth Collection (#8)

"Unveiling the Tales Woven in Table Cloth: From Wind in Willows to Alice's Mad Tea Party" Table cloths have long been an essential element of storytelling

CHRISTMAS DINNER, 1848. Grandpas Christmas hamper. Wood engraving after a drawing, English, 1848

CHRISTMAS DINNER, 1846. A Christmas family fete at Brighton. Wood engraving, English, 1846

Table Cloth Collection: ENGLAND: BANQUET. Banquet to Sir Garnet Wolseley at Portsmouth

ENGLAND: BANQUET. Banquet to Sir Garnet Wolseley at Portsmouth. Wood engraving, English, 19th century

Table Cloth Collection: GEORGE WASHINGTON (1732-1799). 1st President of the United States. George Washington on his deathbed

GEORGE WASHINGTON (1732-1799). 1st President of the United States. George Washington on his deathbed. Engraving, early 19th century

NEW YORK CITY RESTAURANT. A restaurant in the French quarter of New York City. Wood engraving, 1889

RESTAURANT, 19th CENTURY. A 19th century Parisian restaurant. Line engraving, 19th century

Table Cloth Collection: Queens Coronation party June 1953

Queens Coronation party June 1953
The winner of the fancy dress competition, at a party for the Queens Coronation, in London. Date: June 1953

Silhouette, The Last Drop Makes the Cup Overflow

Table Cloth Collection: China Tea Service

China Tea Service
This delicate china tea service would grace any dinner table. Date: early 1930s

Table Cloth Collection: Mrs Bobbity shaking out her tablecloth

Mrs Bobbity shaking out her tablecloth at the back door. A crust of bread flies out. Date: 1937

Table Cloth Collection: Mrs Bobbitys cottage

Mrs Bobbitys cottage, with smoke rising from the chimney, and Mrs B herself shaking her tablecloth out at the back door. The birds have built their nest just above her head

Table Cloth Collection: Young French girl practising her division

Young French girl practising her division
The Four Rules - Division. I am cutting this terrine in two..... but I am eating the whole thing!!! Date: 1905

Table Cloth Collection: Three summer outfits by Jean Patou and Doucet

Three summer outfits by Jean Patou and Doucet
Three fashionable young ladies in summer outfits, at a garden party. On the left, a white organdy dress with blue ribbon trimmings and a colourful nosegay at the front, by Jean Patou

Table Cloth Collection: People in a cafe

People in a cafe, sitting at tables and serving behind the counter. The lighting comes from bare, unshaded lightbulbs. circa 1940s

Table Cloth Collection: Hungarian Boy - studio portait with bible

Hungarian Boy - studio portait with bible
Hungarian Boy - studio portait of this young lad, holding bible and standing before a table-mounted sign which reads In Memorium. Date: circa 1910

Table Cloth Collection: Game / Playing Shop C1890

Game / Playing Shop C1890
Children playing at shops with the help of two chairs and a tablecloth. Date: circa 1890

Table Cloth Collection: Retired Legionnaires

Retired Legionnaires
The restaurant of the home for retired Legionnaires, France. Date: 1930s

Rock salt and spoon

Table Cloth Collection: Cakes for afternoon tea

Cakes for afternoon tea. Cup cakes (fairy cakes) and slices of fruit cake laid out on plates for afternoon tea in a garden on a summers day. Tea cups and roses are seen in the background

Table Cloth Collection: Orchid flowers (Phalaenopsis sp. )

Orchid flowers (Phalaenopsis sp. )
Orchid flowers (Phalaenopsis sp.) in a vase beside a soup bowl and chopsticks

A place for tea, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, Atlantic Ocean, Europe

Table Cloth Collection: RED CROSS: BRAILLE MAGAZINE. American Red Cross workers putting together a braille magazine for

RED CROSS: BRAILLE MAGAZINE. American Red Cross workers putting together a braille magazine for the blind, c1920

FILM STILL: EATING & DRINKING. Actors Geo K. Arthur and Karl Dane

Silent Film: Family Dinner

THE SNOB, 1924. Phyllis Haver and John Gilbert in a scene from the film

THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT. A scene from the 1926 film

Table Cloth Collection: THE HUSBAND HUNTER, 1920. Eileen Percy in a scene from the film adaptation of F

THE HUSBAND HUNTER, 1920. Eileen Percy in a scene from the film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgeralds Myra Meets His Family

MEDIEVAL MEAL. A medieval tapestry showing two men at a meal and the slaughtering of a cow

Taverna Nikos, Mykonos, Cyclades Islands, Greece

USA, Florida, Miami Beach: Lincoln Road, Outdoor Cafe Table Setting

Table Cloth Collection: Gipsy woman making tea, Charlwood, Surrey

Gipsy woman making tea, Charlwood, Surrey
A gipsy woman making tea in the open air at an encampment in the Newdigate area of Charlwood, Surrey. There is a loaf of white bread and a plate of uncooked bacon on the table

Table Cloth Collection: Gipsy woman cooking breakfast in the open air

Gipsy woman cooking breakfast in the open air
A gipsy woman cooking a fried breakfast in the open air. A little girl crouches nearby, sipping a mug of tea

Table Cloth Collection: Mother & children at table

Mother & children at table
A mother sits down to a meal with her two little daughters, and ladles soup into bowls

Table Cloth Collection: Tbilisi - Lunch on the Balcony of the Funicular Railway Stat

Tbilisi - Lunch on the Balcony of the Funicular Railway Stat
Lunch on the Balcony of the Funicular Railway Station at Tbilisi, the capital (and largest) city in Georgia - formerly known as Tiflis

Table Cloth Collection: Little girl playing with toy tea set

Little girl playing with toy tea set
A pretty young girl pouring herself a cup of pretend tea using a bright orange plastic tea set. Photograph by Heinz Zinram

Table Cloth Collection: Doctor relaxes with ambulance staff

Doctor relaxes with ambulance staff
A doctor relaxes with ambulance staff in the hospital canteen after attending to an injured man. They discuss the mans chances of survival

Table Cloth Collection: Man puzzling over a game of draughts

Man puzzling over a game of draughts
A man puzzling over a game of draughts, which he appears to be playing solo. He holds a long churchwarden pipe in his mouth. Date: early 20th century

Table Cloth Collection: Still life with crockery, cutlery, beer glass and newspaper

Still life with crockery, cutlery, beer glass and newspaper
A still life on a table, with crockery, cutlery, a beer glass and a folded newspaper

Table Cloth Collection: The Humorist Christmas Number

The Humorist Christmas Number
Two diners pull a wishbone rather too energetically much to the amazement (or annoyance) of their waitress. Chicken, plates

The Restaurant
A young boy in a sailor suit, treats his girl to a meal in a fancy restaurant. In the background a suave waiter serves a lidded plate of food to another diner

Table Cloth Collection: Housemaid / Fresh Laundry

Housemaid / Fresh Laundry
A smiley housemaid carrying freshly laundered and ironed tableware

EMBROIDERY
Photograph of a young woman sitting working on an embroidery ring

Table Cloth Collection: Potatoes for Supper

Potatoes for Supper
Due to rationing, wartime meals could be rather predictable. This boys grandmother is dishing up boiled potatoes for supper - again

Table Cloth Collection: Christmas Buffet Spread

Christmas Buffet Spread
Wonderful assorted Christmas foods on a table, including bean stew, peas pudding, roast duck, rabbit jelly mould, rock cakes, meringues, trifle, souffle, Christmas cake, etc

Table Cloth Collection: Family Breakfast

Family Breakfast
A happy family enjoying a hearty breakfast of boiled eggs, toast and marmite, around the table

Table Cloth Collection: Wagner / With Bulows / Home

Wagner / With Bulows / Home
RICHARD WAGNER German composer at home with his wife, Cosima, members of the von Bulow family and others

Heart, Paris, France, Europe

Christian love, Paris, France, Europe

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"Unveiling the Tales Woven in Table Cloth: From Wind in Willows to Alice's Mad Tea Party" Table cloths have long been an essential element of storytelling, symbolizing warmth, comfort, and shared experiences. Just like the patchwork quilt that brings together different fabrics to create a beautiful whole, table cloths unite people around food and conversation. In Kenneth Grahame's enchanting world of "Wind in Willows, " we can imagine Mole and Rat enjoying a riverside picnic on a checkered table cloth as they embark on their adventures. Meanwhile, Lewis Carroll's whimsical tea party with the March Hare and the Hatter comes alive through Sir John Tenniel's wood engraving from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. " Traveling across continents, we find ourselves boating off Cape Town, South Africa. Picture a vibrant table cloth fluttering in the wind as friends gather for a seaside feast while witnessing breathtaking sunsets over the Atlantic Ocean. Yet not all tales told by they are lighthearted. In World War I propaganda posters of the Central Powers, harmony is depicted through images of soldiers sharing meals amidst war-torn landscapes – reminding us that even during times of conflict, unity can be found around tables. Moving forward to France's picturesque Loire region, where food and wine take center stage beside its meandering river. The table cloth becomes an emblematic canvas showcasing culinary delights that celebrate French culture and joie de vivre. Charles Dickens' timeless tale "A Christmas Carol" transports us to Bob Cratchit's humble abode where his family gathers around a festive dinner spread atop a worn yet cherished table cloth – reminding us of the importance of gratitude and compassion during holiday seasons. Tables aren't solely reserved for feasting; they also inspire creativity. Imagine a young girl engrossed in painting at her favorite spot – her trusty easel adorned with a vibrant table cloth, reflecting her artistic spirit.