Into the Woods Napkin Set from The Met Museum

Our elegant botanical napkins highlight details from three studies of wood species by Ludwig Pfleger (German, 1720-1793). In these detailed depictions of a wild apple tree, a whitebeam, and an English elm, the artist carefully recorded the trees’ identifying characteristics: bark, grain, leaves, blossoms, and seeds. Such illustrations were important resources for cabinetmakers, who used them to help their clients choose specific wood types for marquetry and furniture.