October 25, 1987
By Jan Buffington
Vigo County Historical Society
Our unmannerly history
Napkins saved wear on tablecloths
Imagine a few moments:
You are back in the early days of our country and you have invited a few friends over for dinner. The table is beautiful, with a new, embroidered tablecloth, your best dishes, silverware and glassware. The centerpiece is flanked with your best candlesticks filled with the tall candles your mother made for this occasion. The conversation sparkles. Your guests compliment you on the excellent food and then wipe their mouths and hands on the tablecloth or on their sleeves.
Yes, that’s what was used at that point in time.
We do not know exactly when or where napkins were first made and used. They probably were made by a woman who was tired of having her newly finished tablecloth or nice clothing stained and ruined.
Napkins not only improved our manners; they also added to the general decorating theme on the table. As their use became more popular, fancy ways of folding them started to appear at formal dinners.
Napkin rings only were used at family meals. Each family member had a ring so that his napkin could be used several times before laundering. After finishing the meal, each person refolded his napkin and put it back into the napkin ring for use at the next meal.
Napkins usually were used for three meals. Clean napkins were put out for dinner and then used for breakfast and lunch the next day. That way, seven napkins per person per week had to be laundered instead of 21. Napkin rings have been made out of silver, brass, wood, glass, crystal, pottery, china, raffia, ribbon and fabric. Some have been knitted or crocheted.
If matching rings were used, family engraved initials or names on them. Other families used different styles or patterns for each member. Some rings were very simple; others were very decorative.
Today, napkin rings are used for all occasions, formal and causal. They have even encircled paper napkins.
The historical treasure this week is the collection of napkin rings at the museum. Several are engraved with initials, others with names. One resembles a drum. Another is oval. Some are simple; others have intricate designs engraved on them. Some have a design forged into the metal. The most elaborate one has the ring on a grape leaf, with a bird perched on the leaf’s stem, a forged design and engraved initials.
The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.