Napkin folding is a type of decorative folding done with a napkin. It can be done as art or as a hobby. Napkin folding is most commonly encountered as a table decoration in fancy restaurants.[1] Typically, and for best results, a clean, pressed, and starched square cloth (linen or cotton) napkin is used.[2] There are variations in napkin folding in which a rectangular napkin, a napkin ring, a glass, or multiple napkins may be used.
An illustration of napkin folding published in 1657
The earliest instruction manual for the artistic folding of napkins was published in 1639 by Matthia Gieger, a German meat carver working in Padua, as a part of a series of treatises on culinary arts titled Le tre trattati.[3] Napkin folding has a centuries-old history[4] and dates back to the times of Louis XIV of France (5 September 1638 – 1 September 1715), known as Louis the Great (Louis le Grand) or the Sun King (le Roi-Soleil), who ruled as King of France from 1643 until his death.[5] The shift of the napkin from simply a folded cloth to a folded art object occurred in the 16th century in Florence, Italy around the same as voluminous clothing, such as ballooned sleeves, had become fashionable among the wealthy.[6] Rather than simply laying a tablecloth flat on a table, starched linens were folded into large centerpieces, called "triumphs," that could depict a variety of real and mythical animals, natural elements and architectural forms.[6] A popular gift wedding guests received during this time was a personally folded napkin that distinguished whether they were related to the bride or groom.[6] In the mid-18th century, table setting practices were so specific that in Germany there were particular traditions on how to fold napkins, display figures at the table and arrange plate.[7] During this golden age of napkin folding, there was a school in Nuremberg devoted entirely to this art and butlers had shelves of instructional books to keep up with the changes in the field.[3] Napkin folding in the form of table sculptures began being replaced by porcelain decorations during the 18th century.[3]
^Kuhn, Doris (2005). Napkin Folding for Every Occasion. New York: Sterling Publishing. p. 9. ISBN9781402728020. "It is no accident that fine restaurants have long preserved the art of napkin folding as an important element of presentation."
^ abc"The History and Techniques of Napkin Folding". www.ediblegeography.com. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
^Hetzer, Linda (2001). The Simple Art of Napkin Folding: 94 Fancy Folds for Every Tabletop Occasion. Robert Penny (1st William Morrow pbk. ed.). New York, N.Y.: William Morrow. p. 7. ISBN9780060934897. Retrieved 26 February 2013. "More than three centuries ago, napkin folding was developed into an art, ..."
^Kuhn, Doris (2005). Napkin Folding for Every Occasion. New York: Sterling Publishing. pp. 9–10. ISBN9781402728020.
^ abc"Unfolding The History Of Napkin Art". NPR. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
^Tattersall, Bruce. "Table Services and Ornament". Oxford Art Online. Grove Art Online.
Further readingedit
Kuhn, Doris (2005). Napkin Folding for Every Occasion. New York: Sterling Publishing. ISBN9781402728020.
Oppenheimer, Lillian; Epstein, Natalie (1979). Decorative napkin folding for beginners. New York: Dover Publications. ISBN0486237974.
Stislow, John; Stislow, Stephanie (2008). The Best Napkin Folding Book Ever!: Add Easy Style to Any Meal. New York: Sterling Publications. ISBN9781435104143
External linksedit
How-to videos on napkin folding by Videojug Arts & Crafts
Step-by-step visual and written instructions for a variety of napkin folds by Napkinfoldingguide.com
Napkin folding ideas from Martha Stewart
How-to videos and written instructions for 24 popular napkin folds from Bright Settings
January 01, 1970
napkin, folding, type, decorative, folding, done, with, napkin, done, hobby, most, commonly, encountered, table, decoration, fancy, restaurants, typically, best, results, clean, pressed, starched, square, cloth, linen, cotton, napkin, used, there, variations, . Napkin folding is a type of decorative folding done with a napkin It can be done as art or as a hobby Napkin folding is most commonly encountered as a table decoration in fancy restaurants 1 Typically and for best results a clean pressed and starched square cloth linen or cotton napkin is used 2 There are variations in napkin folding in which a rectangular napkin a napkin ring a glass or multiple napkins may be used An illustration of napkin folding published in 1657 Contents 1 History 2 Common napkin folds 3 See also 4 References 5 Further reading 6 External linksHistory editThe earliest instruction manual for the artistic folding of napkins was published in 1639 by Matthia Gieger a German meat carver working in Padua as a part of a series of treatises on culinary arts titled Le tre trattati 3 Napkin folding has a centuries old history 4 and dates back to the times of Louis XIV of France 5 September 1638 1 September 1715 known as Louis the Great Louis le Grand or the Sun King le Roi Soleil who ruled as King of France from 1643 until his death 5 The shift of the napkin from simply a folded cloth to a folded art object occurred in the 16th century in Florence Italy around the same as voluminous clothing such as ballooned sleeves had become fashionable among the wealthy 6 Rather than simply laying a tablecloth flat on a table starched linens were folded into large centerpieces called triumphs that could depict a variety of real and mythical animals natural elements and architectural forms 6 A popular gift wedding guests received during this time was a personally folded napkin that distinguished whether they were related to the bride or groom 6 In the mid 18th century table setting practices were so specific that in Germany there were particular traditions on how to fold napkins display figures at the table and arrange plate 7 During this golden age of napkin folding there was a school in Nuremberg devoted entirely to this art and butlers had shelves of instructional books to keep up with the changes in the field 3 Napkin folding in the form of table sculptures began being replaced by porcelain decorations during the 18th century 3 Common napkin folds edit nbsp An example of a fan style folded napkin Bishop s Hat Buffet fold rectangular pocket Candle Diagonal pocket Dress Shirt Envelope Fan Fleur de lis Iris Lotus water lily RoseSee also editNapkin folding problem Origami Table settingReferences edit Kuhn Doris 2005 Napkin Folding for Every Occasion New York Sterling Publishing p 9 ISBN 9781402728020 It is no accident that fine restaurants have long preserved the art of napkin folding as an important element of presentation Napkin Folding Ideas Marthastewart com Retrieved 2013 05 07 a b c The History and Techniques of Napkin Folding www ediblegeography com Retrieved 2016 09 29 Hetzer Linda 2001 The Simple Art of Napkin Folding 94 Fancy Folds for Every Tabletop Occasion Robert Penny 1st William Morrow pbk ed New York N Y William Morrow p 7 ISBN 9780060934897 Retrieved 26 February 2013 More than three centuries ago napkin folding was developed into an art Kuhn Doris 2005 Napkin Folding for Every Occasion New York Sterling Publishing pp 9 10 ISBN 9781402728020 a b c Unfolding The History Of Napkin Art NPR Retrieved 2016 09 29 Tattersall Bruce Table Services and Ornament Oxford Art Online Grove Art Online Further reading editKuhn Doris 2005 Napkin Folding for Every Occasion New York Sterling Publishing ISBN 9781402728020 Oppenheimer Lillian Epstein Natalie 1979 Decorative napkin folding for beginners New York Dover Publications ISBN 0486237974 Stislow John Stislow Stephanie 2008 The Best Napkin Folding Book Ever Add Easy Style to Any Meal New York Sterling Publications ISBN 9781435104143External links editHow to videos on napkin folding by Videojug Arts amp Crafts Step by step visual and written instructions for a variety of napkin folds by Napkinfoldingguide com Napkin folding ideas from Martha Stewart How to videos and written instructions for 24 popular napkin folds from Bright Settings Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Napkin folding amp oldid 1162820356, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
