Empress Linen Tea Towels

Luxury Linen Tea Towels with Redouté Botanical Art

Discover the Empress Linen Tea Towel Range by Malmaison®, our collection of decorative 100% natural linen tea towels inspired by botanical art, Empress Joséphine Bonaparte and the extraordinary gardens of Château de Malmaison.

Selected EMPRESS tea towels feature the celebrated rose illustrations of Pierre-Joseph Redouté, while other designs draw inspiration from Paris and French fashion.

Designed, printed and handcrafted with care in Australia, the collection brings together natural linen, botanical imagery and French inspiration in pieces made to be genuinely useful as well as beautiful enough to leave on display.

Current Redouté designs include roses such as Rosa Galica, Rosa Centifolia, Provence Rose and Centifolia Roses, with individual designs returning or changing according to availability.

Explore the wider Empress by Malmaison®collection, or discover more from our Tea Towels and Kitchen Linen collections.

Discover the EMPRESS Linen Tea Towel Collection

Rosa Galica

Delicate and beautifully detailed, Rosa Galica captures the elegant simplicity that makes Redouté's botanical illustrations feel remarkably timeless.

The rose is allowed to remain the focus, with the natural linen providing a softly textured background that suits both traditional and contemporary kitchens.

Use it for everyday kitchen tasks, drape it over a bread basket or hang it where the full botanical image can be enjoyed.

Rosa Centifolia

The many-petalled character of Rosa Centifolia makes it one of the most romantic designs within the EMPRESS collection.

Printed onto natural linen, Redouté's rose becomes both a practical textile and a decorative botanical piece.

It works particularly well in kitchens where natural timber, stone, ceramics and collected French pieces create a relaxed rather than overly coordinated interior.

Provence Rose

Provence Rose brings another expression of Redouté's celebrated floral work to the EMPRESS linen collection.

Its botanical character feels particularly at home within Malmaison, where flowers, natural fibres and French-inspired interiors have always played an important part.

Hang it from a favourite hook, fold it beside the sink or bring it to the table when serving bread, pastries or afternoon tea.

Centifolia Roses

Centifolia Roses brings several botanical forms together in a more abundant composition.

The combination of historic botanical illustration and natural linen gives the piece enough presence to function decoratively as well as practically.

It is also the Redouté imagery carried through to selected EMPRESS botanical totes, allowing the artwork to move beyond the kitchen into everyday life.

Paris Fashion-Inspired Linen Tea Towels

The EMPRESS linen collection also extends beyond botanical art to selected designs inspired by the enduring style of Paris and French fashion.

Pieces such as Chanel Paris and Chanel No. 5 bring a more graphic, fashion-led character to the range while retaining the natural linen, Australian craftsmanship and decorative versatility that define the EMPRESS tea towel collection.

These designs work particularly well in contemporary kitchens or as gifts for Francophiles and lovers of Parisian style. Like the Redouté collection, they are designed to function as practical tea towels while being decorative enough to remain on display.

100% Natural Linen

Selected EMPRESS linen tea towels are made from 100% natural linen.

Linen has long been valued in the kitchen for its strength, absorbency and distinctive natural texture. It also becomes softer and more familiar through use and washing.

For EMPRESS, the character of linen is especially important because the fabric allows the botanical artwork to retain a softly tactile quality rather than appearing overly polished or synthetic.

Natural variations in the weave may occur. Together with the printing and hand-finishing process, these small differences contribute to the individual character of each piece.

Designed, Printed & Handcrafted in Australia

EMPRESS is Malmaison's own French-inspired collection.

Selected EMPRESS linen tea towels are designed, printed and handcrafted with care in Australia, bringing together French inspiration and Australian making.

That combination is central to the EMPRESS story.

Rather than reproducing French style literally, Malmaison takes inspiration from the art, history and botanical world surrounding Château de Malmaison and interprets those influences for contemporary Australian homes.

The result is linen designed to be used every day, while still carrying a story that reaches back to nineteenth-century France.

Pierre-Joseph Redouté & the Art of Botanical Illustration

Pierre-Joseph Redouté was one of the most celebrated botanical illustrators of his era.

Known for the extraordinary precision and delicacy of his flower paintings, Redouté became closely associated with Empress Joséphine Bonaparte and her passion for botany.

In 1805, he was appointed flower painter to the Empress.

At Joséphine's request, Redouté produced botanical plates recording remarkable plants connected with Malmaison for Le Jardin de Malmaison. Joséphine also encouraged the work devoted to roses for which Redouté would become especially famous.

His botanical paintings are notable for their clarity. Flowers and leaves are presented without distracting backgrounds, allowing the form, colour and detail of the plant itself to become the focus.

That same quality allows Redouté's work to translate beautifully to natural linen more than two centuries later.

Joséphine & the Roses of Malmaison

Roses were central to Joséphine's botanical world.

At Château de Malmaison, she assembled a remarkable collection that eventually included more than 250 varieties of rose, alongside rare plants gathered from Europe and further afield.

Her interest in plants went far beyond decoration. Malmaison became a place where horticulture, science, collecting and art came together.

Around 200 plants were cultivated in France for the first time at Malmaison, while botanists, naturalists and artists helped document and develop Joséphine's extraordinary collection.

Redouté's association with this world gives the EMPRESS rose designs a particularly meaningful connection to the Malmaison story.

For the full history behind the collection, explore Empress by Malmaison®.

From Botanical Art to the Working Kitchen

One of the things Malmaison particularly loves about these tea towels is that they do not need to be treated as precious objects.

They are made to work.

Use one for drying glassware and dishes, covering freshly baked bread, lining a basket or adding softness to a kitchen bench.

At the same time, the scale and beauty of the botanical imagery means an EMPRESS tea towel can remain visible rather than disappearing into a drawer.

Hang one from a simple wooden hook, drape it over an oven rail or display it alongside ceramics, timber boards and favourite kitchen pieces.

The effect should feel collected and useful rather than overly styled.

Linen Tea Towels as Botanical Art

Some EMPRESS customers have taken the decorative quality of the Redouté designs one step further and framed their tea towels as botanical artwork.

It is easy to understand why.

The generous botanical illustrations, natural linen ground and simplicity of Redouté's compositions allow the pieces to work beautifully when displayed on a wall.

A framed Redouté linen tea towel can bring botanical character to a kitchen, dining room, bedroom or hallway while retaining the texture of textile rather than a conventional paper print.

Of course, framing is entirely optional. Each piece is first and foremost designed to be a practical linen tea towel.

Linen Tea Towels for Gifting

A beautiful tea towel is one of those gifts that manages to be both decorative and genuinely useful.

EMPRESS Redouté linen tea towels make thoughtful choices for Mother's Day, birthdays, housewarmings, hosts, gardeners, home cooks, Francophiles and anyone who loves botanical art.

They are also easy to combine with other Malmaison pieces.

Pair a Redouté tea towel with French glassware, a favourite tea, a serving piece or another EMPRESS design for a gift that feels considered without becoming overly formal.

For someone particularly interested in flowers or interiors, the possibility of displaying or framing the design gives the piece another life beyond the kitchen.

A Botanical Tote Beyond the Kitchen

The EMPRESS botanical story also extends to selected everyday accessories.

The Redouté Centifolia Roses Tote carries related botanical imagery onto recycled cotton, creating a practical bag for markets, books, shopping and everyday errands.

Designed, printed and handcrafted with care in Australia, it offers another way to enjoy the Redouté story beyond the kitchen.

Explore the wider Empress by Malmaison® collection to discover botanical linen, totes, candles and stationery.

Why Choose EMPRESS Linen Tea Towels from Malmaison?

EMPRESS is personal to Malmaison.

The collection brings together the château that inspired our name, Joséphine's extraordinary botanical interests, the work of Pierre-Joseph Redouté and Malmaison's own appreciation for natural materials, French history and beautiful everyday objects.

Selected EMPRESS tea towels are crafted from 100% natural linen and designed, printed and handcrafted in Australia.

They are functional enough for the working kitchen, decorative enough to display and distinctive enough to give as a thoughtful gift.

Most importantly, they are pieces designed to be used.

A tea towel can dry a favourite glass, cover bread cooling on the bench, hang beside the sink or even find its way into a frame.

That versatility captures something central to Malmaison - beautiful things should become part of everyday life.

Helpful Notes & FAQs

What are EMPRESS linen tea towels?

EMPRESS linen tea towels are part of Empress by Malmaison®, Malmaison's own French-inspired lifestyle collection. Selected designs feature botanical rose imagery by Pierre-Joseph Redouté, while others draw inspiration from Paris and French fashion. The collection combines practical kitchen use with the natural beauty of linen, Australian craftsmanship and decorative appeal.

What are EMPRESS tea towels made from?

Selected EMPRESS tea towels are made from 100% natural linen.

The natural character of the fabric means slight variations in colour, texture and weave may occur.

Are EMPRESS linen tea towels made in Australia?

Selected EMPRESS linen tea towels are designed, printed and handcrafted with care in Australia.

Refer to the individual product page for current materials and production details, as the wider EMPRESS collection may include different products and processes.

Who was Pierre-Joseph Redouté?

Pierre-Joseph Redouté was a celebrated botanical illustrator known particularly for his paintings of flowers and roses.

He became flower painter to Empress Joséphine in 1805 and produced important botanical works connected with her patronage and Château de Malmaison.

What is the connection between Redouté and Empress Joséphine?

Joséphine was an important patron of Redouté and had a deep interest in botany and horticulture.

She commissioned him to illustrate remarkable plants connected with Malmaison and encouraged the work on roses that would become among his most celebrated achievements.

Why are roses important to the EMPRESS tea towel collection?

Empress Joséphine assembled more than 250 varieties of rose at Château de Malmaison.

Her passion for roses and patronage of Redouté helped create one of the most enduring connections between botanical art and the history of Malmaison.

Selected EMPRESS tea towels draw on this heritage through Redouté rose imagery.

What size are EMPRESS linen tea towels?

The current EMPRESS Redouté linen tea towels measure approximately 70cm x 50cm.

Always check the individual product page in case specifications change between designs or future collections.

Can I use an EMPRESS tea towel every day?

Yes. EMPRESS linen tea towels are designed as practical working kitchen textiles.

They can be used for drying dishes and glassware, covering bread, lining baskets and other everyday kitchen tasks.

Can EMPRESS linen tea towels be framed?

Yes. Although designed to function as tea towels, selected customers have chosen to frame their EMPRESS Redouté designs as botanical textile art.

Their generous botanical imagery and natural linen background make them particularly suited to decorative display.

How do I wash an EMPRESS linen tea towel?

The current Redouté linen tea towels should be gently machine washed in cold water with mild detergent.

Do not soak or bleach. Line dry in the shade, use a warm iron if required and do not dry clean.

Always check the care instructions supplied with the individual product.

Will the botanical print fade?

Some fading may occur over time, particularly with repeated washing or prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

Following the recommended care instructions and avoiding prolonged direct sunlight can help preserve the appearance of the print.

Why are there slight variations between EMPRESS linen tea towels?

Natural linen has its own distinctive texture and weave.

Together with the printing and hand-finishing process, this means minor variations in colour, dimensions or weave can occur between pieces.

These variations are part of the natural character of the textile rather than a fault.

Do EMPRESS linen tea towels make good gifts?

Yes. EMPRESS linen tea towels are particularly suited to housewarmings, Mother's Day, birthdays, host gifts, gardeners, Francophiles and anyone who appreciates botanical art.

They combine practical use with beautiful presentation and can also be displayed decoratively.

What Redouté designs are available?

The EMPRESS collection has included designs such as Rosa Galica, Rosa Centifolia, Provence Rose and Centifolia Roses.

Individual designs may sell out, return or change over time, so the current online collection is the best guide to availability.

Does EMPRESS include designs beyond Redouté roses?

Yes. Alongside the Redouté botanical collection, EMPRESS has included selected Paris and French fashion-inspired linen tea towels, including Chanel Paris and Chanel No. 5 designs.

Individual designs may be limited, sold out or return according to availability, so the current online collection is the best guide to what is available.

What other tea towels does Malmaison stock?

Malmaison's wider Tea Towels collection includes EMPRESS linen designs together with selected French and French-inspired kitchen textiles.

You can also explore Kitchen Linen for tea towels, aprons and other textiles designed for the everyday kitchen.