It is really interesting to me that no one in the UK seems to have heard about Russian linen. Everyone knows there is Irish linen but how on earth - with all stories about Siberia and the really bad Russian weather and climate - can there be linen from Russia?Simple… In Russia, we never had any cotton and through centuries linen became a national treasure.
Linen is the most ancient fabric known to man. For centuries people have been growing flax which is then made into fibre and woven to become linen. Domestication of flax occurred in India and China well before cotton ever did - more than 5,000 years ago.
But despite its venerable age flax remains to be as young as ever and is always in trend.
Flax has been grown in Russia since 2000 B.C. and ancient manuscripts from 1,000 years B.C. contain evidence of linen made by the Slavs. Oriental writers of the time also described Slavs dressed in linen clothing. Prior to the formation of Kievan Russia (pre-Moscow), all Slavic tribes that inhabited the Eastern European plain grew flax. Flax was used to make sailcloth, fishing nets, ropes and linseed oil.
In the 10th-11th centuries A.D. flax was extensively grown for fibre and seed. It was regarded as an important crop both for crafts and commerce. Peasants used it to pay feudal taxes and make payments to the Tsar's treasury. Russian Princes collected tribute in linen.
In the late 19th-early 20th century, Russia emerged as the leading producer and exporter of flax and pure linen fabric among European nations. So popular was linen and its variety of uses that the first standard Government tax imposed in Russia, by Peter the Great, was the standard tax on flax.
Russian linen is a quality product and one of our manufactures was even a supplier of the Russian Royal Court in the 19th century when they were weaving the most beautiful and highest quality damask linen tablecloths and napkins for the Russian Tsars to use and enjoy in their Palaces. So today, with the help of Alenska, you can enjoy the same in your own home!
Nowadays linen flax is one of the main materials used in the manufacture of UK banknotes and improves their useful life. And yes, we can joke about linen having the same value as money…
Here are a few more interesting facts about Pure Linen:
- The famous Turin Shroud (that bears the image of Jesus Christ and was used to wrap his body) is spun from flax fibres. There is also evidence that the towel bearing Christ's image which was not painted by human hands - was also made of linen.
- Prior to the invention of paper, manuscripts were written on linen. One of the most renowned manuscripts - “Linen Book” by ancient Etruscans - was written on linen in the 7th century B.C.
- In ancient Greece linen clothes were the privilege of high priests.
- The famous army leader Alexander the Great wore an armour made of… linen to protect him in battle. It was said to be impenetrable to the enemy’s sword.
- In ancient Russia, linen clothes were worn on festive occasions. The first ever flag in Russia approved by Peter the Great was made of linen.
