What are Antimacassars?
An antimacassar is a piece of fabric which is draped over the head or arms of a sofa or chair, and in some cases both head and arms will be covered with an antimacassar. Antimacassars are designed to protect upholstery, preventing it from becoming soiled, and they are typically washable. Many pieces of upholstered furniture designed for sitting come with matching antimacassars, and it is also possible to make one’s own, if desired. Many people associate the antimacassar specifically with the Victorian era, when they are included in the often cluttered and fussy interior designs of homes. The origin of the word “antimacassar” is rather fascinating. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the word comes from “Macassar,” a brand of hair oil which was extremely popular during the Victorian era. The fad for oiled hair had devastating effects on furniture, just as Brylcream did in the 20th century, because people would lean back and stain the upholstery with their oiled hair. To preve
An antimacassar is a piece of fabric which is draped over the head or arms of a sofa or chair, and in some cases both head and arms will be covered with an antimacassar. Antimacassars are designed to protect upholstery, preventing it from becoming soiled, and they are typically washable. Many pieces of upholstered furniture designed for sitting come with matching antimacassars, and it is also possible to make one’s own, if desired. Many people associate the antimacassar specifically with the Victorian era, when they are included in the often cluttered and fussy interior designs of homes. The origin of the word “antimacassar†is rather fascinating. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the word comes from “Macassar,†a brand of hair oil which was extremely popular during the Victorian era. The fad for oiled hair had devastating effects on furniture, just as Brylcream did in the 20th century, because people would lean back and stain the upholstery with their oiled hair. To
Antimacassars are those things that go over the arms and headrests of sofas. “Macassar” is a place–in the Middle East, I think. In the Victorian era, people would buy hair oil imported from there, which was called macassar just as porcelain was called china. But when people used too much, they’d leave dark stains on upholstery. (If you’ve ever seen the Eddie Murphy movie “Coming to America”, there’s a really funny scene with the “Soul Glo” hairspray doing the same thing.) Anyway, “anti-macassars” were invented to catch the stain. These could be laundered, while couches could not. Interesting story, huh? I honestly don’t know if those things have another, easier name, so I had to use the long word!
