Vintage Kangaroo Placemats – Donald Clark "Design No. 1" – Set of 8

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Description

Bring a rare piece of authentic mid-century Australiana to your table or textile collection with this pristine, deadstock set of … Read more Bring a rare piece of authentic mid-century Australiana to your table or textile collection with this pristine, deadstock set of Donald Clark table linens. A dream find for collectors of vintage home decor and graphic textiles, this service for four remains completely unused and sealed in its original factory header packaging, exactly as produced in the late 1950s or early 1960s.

The vibrant, crisp screen-printed graphics depict a majestic kangaroo amidst a landscape of traditional grass trees, rendered in bold colors that remain strikingly clear against the natural background. These durable mats function beautifully as statement dining accessories or as framed textile art, perfect for creating a gallery wall feature in a study, kitchen, or nursery.

This specific set is identified on the original label as Design Number 1, marking it as a foundational piece from the iconic Donald Clark archive. Produced by Donald Clark Associates Pty Ltd at their Thornleigh, Sydney studio, the set features a durable linen and cotton blend specifically chosen to hold the vibrant screen-printed colors. The label’s recommendation for gentle washing in warm suds underscores the handcrafted quality of the era, while the handwritten 6x6 notation likely denotes an original inventory or pricing code, adding to its provenance as an untouched museum-quality artifact.

The original packaging is a key feature of this deadstock set, featuring a distinctive header banner reading 'Donald Clark Table Mats' across the top. The four vibrant grass-green napkins are neatly lined up on the right side, secured by their original 'Souvenir of Australia' paper tag, while the left and center display the iconic kangaroo graphic with 'Australia' printed beneath it. This specific retail presentation captures the exact way these sets were sold in major Australian department stores like David Jones and Grace Bros during the 1960s, Thornleigh Era offering a complete 'time capsule' experience for the collector. Donald Clark was an celebrated mid-century designer whose work is held in major museum collections, and this set serves as a textbook example of his highly collectible style.

The complete 8-piece set includes four placemats and four coordinating vibrant grass-green napkins, all secured by their original Souvenir of Australia paper band. Each placemat features beautifully detailed fringed borders and measures approximately 11 inches by 8 inches.

The inclusion of the original packaging, paper band, and specific Design Number 1 label significantly enhances the provenance and value of this lot, making it an ideal addition for serious collectors of Australian modernism or enthusiasts of unique, unused vintage linens. See less