Table felt underlay

A table felt underlay is a thick felt or padded cotton undercloth set between the tabletop and the tablecloth. Its upper face absorbs moisture and muffles the sound of cutlery and china, while its underside, frequently waterproof and non-slip, shields the wood from impacts and heat. It also lends the linen a softer drape and gives the table a more subdued acoustic quality, a detail prized in the dining rooms of fine restaurants.