King of Italy Napkins
Magnificent and Extraordinary Antique Sets of Dinner Napkins woven with the Monogram and Royal Crest of Vittorio Emanuele III, King of Italy, each dated with the year they were put into service.
These sets of immense antique white linen damask napkins are fit for a king—literally! They came from the last King of Italy and the superb damask fabric is woven with his monogram and royal crest. Vittorio Emanuele III, King of Italy, was crowned in 1900 and reigned until his death. (He lived 1869-1947) The napkins feature figural crests which were parts of the "Royal Standard of the King of Italy" as well as motifs from the ancient Royal House of Savoy (Reale Casa di Savoia) used from circa 1905 onward, including the eagle and the shield of Savoy.
Also woven into the design is the "FERT" acronym, the motto of the House of Savoy which has been supposed to be:
"Foedere Et Religione Tenemur" (We will be kept together by the [constitutional] pact and by religion)
but there are other interpretations:
a. "Fortitudo Eius Rhodum Tenuit" (His strength preserved Rhodes). This refers to Duke Amadeo V "the Great" (1249-1323), who fought against the Saracens at the siege of Rhodes in 1310.
b. "Fortitudo Ejus Rempublicam Tenet" (His bravery preserves the Republic)
c."Fides Est Regni Tutela" (Faith is the protection of the kingdom)
Provenance: They come from the collection of S.A.R. La Principessa Reale Maria Gabriella Di Savoia. (The Royal Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoy)
The designs on these sets of napkins are the same except for the date woven into the border. I grouped them by date because when I acquired them, it seemed the best way to make matching sets out of them. Most were in perfect condition and some were not. I used a sticky note on each one as I ironed them to keep track of each one's condition.
This is how they came to me before laundering (although the photo does not really capture how spotty and stained and disgusting they really were):
This is how my workroom looked when I was folding and sorting them:
Copyright 2009 Cynthia Cooper, Main Street Antiques
PO Box 586, Farmington, CT 06034-0586
They are an amazing rarity and they are beautiful and functional as well. Holding one, you actually hold some history in your hands.
