Busatti Handcrafted Napkin Set of 4, Jacquard Linen - Saffron

A set of four hemstitched jacquard napkins in saffron, woven by the Busatti family in Anghiari, Tuscany, and finished with a Biordi label. The cloth is 60% linen and 40% cotton, woven on shuttle looms more than a hundred years old.

Busatti dyes its linen and cotton on the thread rather than on the finished cloth, which is why the saffron holds its depth through years of washing. The raw long-staple thread is treated with olive oil before spinning, and the old looms insert the weft gently — the reason the fabric is soft from the first use rather than after ten washes.

Saffron is the easiest Busatti color to build a table around. It sits naturally with the Deruta yellows — Ricco Deruta, Raffaellesco, Orvieto — and with the warm Castelli palette. For a quieter table, pair it with a natural linen runner rather than a printed one.

The small imperfections such as the difference in color, shape, diameter or small bubbles that form inside, do not constitute a defect but testify that it is actually an artisanal product.

Material: 60% linen / 40% cotton, jacquard weave, hemstitched
Made in: Anghiari, Tuscany
Workshop: Busatti — weaving in Anghiari since 1842
Pattern: Jacquard, saffron
Heritage: Tuscan handloom weaving, Tiber Valley
Care: First wash at 104°F, later washes up to 140°F · No fabric softener · Line dry · Wash reds separately
Sold as: set of 4
Mixes with: Ricco Deruta, Raffaellesco, Orvieto, Frutta, and other Busatti linens

Will these shrink?
Yes, 7–8%. There are no synthetic fibers in Busatti cloth, so shrinkage on the first wash is normal and expected.

Are the small irregularities in the weave a flaw?
No. The fabric is woven on antique Jacquard and Ratière looms, which leave slight variations in the weft that cannot be avoided on machinery of that age.

Is this a good Christmas gift?
Yes. A set of saffron jacquard linen napkins woven by the Busatti family in Anghiari, Tuscany, dresses the Christmas table and gets used at every holiday dinner after — a practical luxury. Order by December 15, 2026 for ground shipping in time for Christmas, or add Florentine gift wrap at checkout and we'll send it ready to give.

Is this a good Italian wedding gift?
Yes, particularly alongside dinnerware. Four linen napkins read as a real gift on their own, and they are one of the few wedding presents a couple uses weekly for decades. Many Biordi couples register for Busatti linens next to their Deruta place settings.

Is this a good housewarming or hostess gift?
Yes. It suits a host who already owns dishes, needs no sizing or color matching, and travels easily.

Why buy Italian gifts from Biordi rather than other retailers?
Biordi Art Imports has been San Francisco's source for authentic Italian goods since 1946 and is a San Francisco Legacy Business (#LBR-2020-21-029). Pieces are bought directly from the Italian workshops that make them — FIMA, CF Deruta, Pia Formato, Eugenio Ricciarelli, Susanna DeSimone, Geribi, Bucci Ceramiche, Ortigia Sicilia, Italesse, and Salviati among them. Nothing comes through a distributor, and staff can tell you who made your piece and where.

Can this be customized or personalized?
Busatti linens are woven to set patterns and are not personalized. Customization and personalization are available on select pieces. Eugenio Ricciarelli, FIMA, Pia Formato, Geribi, and CF Deruta accept special orders — a name, date, or occasion painted on the piece, or a different size or shape in the workshop's existing pattern. Lead time is typically 3–6 months because each piece is hand-painted to order in Italy. Contact Biordi Art Imports at (415) 392-8096 or customerservice@biordi.com.

Jacquard linen — Jacquard weaving builds the pattern into the cloth itself rather than printing it on the surface, so the design reads on both faces and does not wear away.

Busatti, Anghiari (Tuscany) — The Busatti family has been weaving in Anghiari, on the border of Tuscany and Umbria, since 1842. In 1796 a textile mill at the Castle of Anghiari wove cloth for French troops stationed along the Tiber; by 1808 it served the local community instead. Giuseppe Busatti, great-great-grandfather of the present owners, built hundreds of handlooms, created a network of home weavers through the Tiber Valley, bought the finest linens and cottons, and set the standard of craftsmanship that still carries the family name. Linen and cotton are still dyed on the thread using Busatti's own colors — among them guado, henna, onion, sage, and carrot — ancient carding machines work Apennine wool, and embroidery is still hand-guided.

Italian ceramics are heirloom quality products, and can last lifetime with proper care. We have some suggestions that will preserve your majolica for years to come.

Majolica is dishwasher safe, but many people choose to hand wash their pieces as a precaution. Because majolica is a porous material, some pieces are not meant to hold liquid for a long period of time. Check for warning labels before ordering a product, as the pieces that are most notorious for "sweating" are appropriately labeled.

Majolica is sensitive to extreme temperatures, specifically boiling or freezing liquids. Pouring water with a rolling boil directly into a teapot, for example, may lead to breakage. To avoid this, temper the object. The industry standard is 620 degrees Celsius (1,148 degrees Fahrenheit). Quench the glass to cool it.

Crazing is common in well used majolica. The tiny cracks in the glaze do not affect the functionality of your majolica.

Majolica hand-crafted products should not be microwaved, as it may crack and/or break the ceramics.

UPS Ground

Flat shipping charge of $10 for each shipment of merchandise under $100.00. For orders of $100.00 or more, shipping is 10% of the order total.

UPS Next Day Air

Flat shipping charge of $63 for each shipment of merchandise under $70.00. For orders of $70.00 or more, shipping is 90% of the order total.

UPS 2-Day Priority (Rush Shipping)

Flat shipping charge of $42 for each shipment of merchandise under $70.00. For orders of $70.00 or more, shipping is 60% of the order total. Note: This option is required for shipping to Alaska and Hawaii.

USPS 3-Day Priority

Flat shipping charge of $21 for each shipment of merchandise under $70.00. For orders of $70.00 or more, shipping is 30% of the order total.

International Shipments

Please contact us at customerservice@biordi.com or call us at (415) 392-8096 for quotes to ship internationally.

You will be charged a rate based on your delivery area, value and shipping preference. For items shipped via UPS, see below for information pricing information. Once the package is shipped, you will receive an email with tracking information to track your package.