embroidered linen, 1500s, Italian; Green yellow silk embroidery, drawn thread work Linen cloths such as this with decorated bands may have had several functions in a household, including as towels to dry the hands when washed before eating, cupboard cloths on which vessels could be placed, and coverpanes. Coverpanes were the cloths used to cover the principal place setting of salt, trencher, knife, spoon and bread. Linen towel Cover 1500-1550 This table cover combines a very popular diaper patterned background with lively embroideries representing popular motifs, such as putti and dragon’s heads. Italy Linen diaper embroidered with silk, with silk braid and fringe V&A: 940-1897 [5 Oct 2006 - 7 Jan 2007]