by: Calle Redhe
Although the history to fine Swedish table linen is impressive enough, the current reverence for its past can be seen in many international functions.
Since 1901, the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony has taken place in Stockholm, Sweden on December 10 (the anniversary of Albert Nobel's death). This is a ceremony that recognizes the brightest and most innovative minds in the world with prestige and honor.
With speeches and grand presentations, the Nobel Prize dinner is one of the biggest dinners in the world each year, and the most secret as well. Not only are winners and their families invited, but the Swedish Royal Family is in attendance as well. His Majesty the King of Sweden presents each of the winners with a diploma and a medal.
Upon each table are fine demonstrations of fine Swedish table linen-from the tablecloths to the napkins. And with about thirteen hundred guests, that's quite a few pieces of fine Swedish table linen to provide. This guest list is strict, including only a few hundred students and over ninety members of the royal family.
Each table is set with special Nobel tableware that was created for the ninetieth anniversary of the Nobel Prize (which was in 1991). The Swedish designers that created the pieces of tableware were Ingrid Dessau, Gunnar Cyren, and Karin Bjorquist. It is interesting to note that Sweden is the only country that uses a particular place setting for events that include the royal family.
The Nobel Prize dinner hall's sixty five tables are blanketed with about four hundred and seventy meters of fine Swedish table linen. On the fine Swedish table linen are many thousands of porcelain dishes, glasses and silverware pieces.
Although there are many suppliers of fine Swedish table linen in the country, Ekelund can profess to be the chief supplier of fine Swedish table linen to the Swedish Royal family since 1692. But Klaessbols is another linen company that provides the fine Swedish table linen for the Nobel Prize dinner, as well as to the royals.
The Swedish Royal Family not only uses fine Swedish table linen at all of their formal occasions-gala dinners, meetings with other heads of states, but also in their daily lives. In past history, maps and other decorations were painted onto linen and hung in the royal halls.
But you don't have to wear a crown to enjoy the luxury of fine Swedish table linen. When an everyday person embraces Swedish table linen as a part of their everyday life, then they are welcoming years of history and prestige into their own homes-a certain sense of royalty within themselves.
Thankfully fine Swedish table linen was not something that was carelessly tossed aside and replaced with modern technology. Family weaveries still exist in small towns of central Sweden today to give the new millennium its own piece of history and charm.
Whether as a wedding gift or a gift to ones self, fine Swedish table linen will tell the story of your life as it is shared by generations.
About The Author
Calle Redhe is the owner and Master Weaver at Redhes Weavery in Bjorbo, Sweden. Redhes Weavery was founded in the mid-1940's and has become renowned for keeping alive the ancient Swedish traditions of patterning and quality most evident in the overshot weave cloths they produce today. He makes it easy for all to own table linens with the air of royalty. To learn what colors and weave are available visit: http://www.fine-swedish-table-linen.com.
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