Serving boy carries pile of folded napkins - Colmans Starch

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Serving boy carries pile of folded napkins - Colmans Starch

A serving boy carrying a teetering pile of folded napkins, held in place due to the effectiveness of Colmans Starch. Date: 19th century

Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries

Media ID 14236007

© The Russell Butcher Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library

Carries Carry Cloth Colmans Effective Fancy Laundry Mustard Napkin Napkins Neat Pile Piled Servant Servants Serving Staff Starch Starched Tray

EDITORS COMMENTS
1. Title: "A Serving Boy's Burden: The Neat and Effective Solution of Colmans Starch" This photograph, taken in the 19th century, depicts a young serving boy skillfully carrying a towering pile of starched napkins on a tray. The image exudes an air of elegance and precision, as the boy manages to keep the precarious stack balanced, showcasing the effectiveness of Colmans Starch. The scene takes place in a grand country house, where the serving staff was responsible for maintaining the highest standards of tableware presentation. The women in the background, likely the housekeepers or maids, can be seen busily folding and starching the napkins, ensuring they are neat and crisp for the upcoming meal. The use of Colmans Starch was a crucial element in the process of preparing table linens for formal events. The starch, made from cornflour and water, was applied to the fabric to stiffen it, making the napkins hold their shape and appear more elegant and presentable. The effectiveness of Colmans Starch is evident in the serving boy's load, as the napkins remain perfectly folded and aligned, despite the large number in the pile. The photograph offers a glimpse into the daily life of a servant in a wealthy household during the 19th century. It showcases the importance of attention to detail and the role that effective household products, like Colmans Starch, played in maintaining the high standards of formal dining. In summary, this photograph is a testament to the elegance and precision of the serving staff in a 19th-century country house, as well as the effectiveness of Colmans Starch in maintaining neat and crisp table linens. The image captures a moment in history, where tradition, elegance, and the importance of a well-prepared table were paramount.

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