Table set
The napkins they first appeared on the tables during the 1500s.
The purpose, which seems obvious to us, was to give the diners a piece of cloth to clean their mouth and hands.
At this point a question arises:how was it done before their invention?
Simple:tablecloths, clothes and rags were used which, without causing many problems, passed from one person to another.
Not exactly the best in hygiene and education.
Actually the napkins were just one of the many novelties introduced in the Renaissance in the gastronomic field.
In this period, in fact, great changes took place in the kitchen, both for the actual eating habits and for the way of being at the table.
The banquets of the time, typical of the wealthier classes, who used them to flaunt power and opulence, have gone down in history ( see also https://www.pilloledistoria.it/9068/storia-moderna/cibi-doro-del-rinascimento).
After all, the way of arranging the napkins was also quite spectacular.
In fact, on great occasions, instead of folding them in four, they were given the shape of animals or other natural elements.
During the 16th century, gastronomy began to be considered an art and cooks people to be held in high regard.
A little like what happens today with chefs who work on tv ( Photo from: lauramalinverni.wordpress.com).