Dining Mat

Mats of this type were placed on the floor beneath the dining tray and stand. In the centre of the mat is an eightpointed star decorated with vases of roses, set inside a circular lobed medallion. In the spaces between the medallion and star are single-storey houses with bay windows and pointed roofs decorated with roses, buds and cypress trees. Surrounding this central composition are two-storey houses arranged in a spiralling composition. The houses have tiled roofs and round-arched doorways with double doors that open outwards. Adjoining each is a small single-storey house. The houses are surrounded by gardens containing large trees, cypresses and flowers. Around the edge is a border of small flowers in vases, buds on stems extending to either side, and pairs of cypresses which are arranged alternately. The cloth is lined with white cotton fabric. All the motifs are in tambour work using harmonious colour schemes of pastel colours.