Bath Towel In Basin Fabric, Marked Me - France, Late 18th/early 19th Century

Circa 1790-1830, France. Bath towel in basin, plain weave of figured thread for the warp and white cotton for the weft, probably dating from the early 19th century. Woven on a handloom in a single width, both ends are hemmed in period style, one corner with a monogram embroidered in red cross-stitch: ME. Following my research for the bathroom of the Hôtel de la Marine in Paris, I was able to identify the ancestor of our bath towels (terrycloth towels only appeared from the late 19th century onwards), which was made of basin or bazin, an absorbent fabric. Very fine, fluffy, and finished, clean and cleaned, ready to use for an 18th-century decoration as a rustic tablecloth. No flaws. Beautiful condition. Dimensions: 146 cm x 90 cm