https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2010/aug/19/impressions-of-nature Impressions of Nature - A History of Nature Printing In this book, author and printing history expert Roderick Cave explores the history of nature printing – the name given to the technique using the surface of a natural object – like a leaf – to produce the print. The practice was developed in the Middle Ages to help those gathering medicinal plants and evolved into a serious scientific process used to reproduce plants and build up collections of flora and fauna. During the 19th century, the technique drew on new photographic technology, and today, the long-standing art form continues to interest everyone...

Tablecloths were already known in the Middle Ages. At that time, in wealthier homes, a long cloth was spread on the tables, which reached the floor and was not only a cover but also a napkin for revelers. In the Renaissance, the tables were located in the central part of the drawing rooms and necessarily had to be carefully covered - it was considered impolite to receive guests at a rough countertop. Sometimes one of the guests would cut open the tablecloth spread in front of him to show that he considered any of the other diners unsuitable company for him...

...