Ever wonder if the tablecloth you have draped protectively over your dining room table is actually a distant cousin of a medieval table covering?  Well it is – relatively speaking.  The tablecloth originated in medieval Europe and most tablecloths of that time period were solid or predominantly white.  These ancient tablecloths were a very important part of feast preparations in wealthy households, and were often made of the best linen or cotton available.  As times changed, tablecloths became prevalent in almost all classes in Europe aside from the most poor.  In our time tablecloths are often used only in the finest of dining setting, specifically expensive restaurant settings, or large family dinners, such as Thanksgiving. 

Most common modern wholesale tablecloths are made from cotton or poly-cotton types of cloth, but more ornate pieces can be made from silk or other fine textiles, provided that they are able to be easily laundered.  There are several functions of the tablecloth today, in addition to use as a dining decoration or table protector for large meals in home or restaurant settings, the tablecloth can also be used to protect tables from scratches and stains, or even just in an ornamental setting.  Ornamental table cloths have been in existence for many years, used both for function – such as the ornate late Victorian cloths that would cover a whole table and stretch to the floor, or those in the Qing Dynasty in China that were used similarly to tapestries and hung from the walls.

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