The silk damask, originally called Diaspron, has been cherished by emperors and kings since it was first introduced in China in 300 BC. Traded along the Silk Road, the caravans passed through Damascus, the center of Syria, which became a hub for manufacturing silk. By the 14th century, these luxury fabrics were known as damasks. A stylish take on the Newport damask, this fabric features a thistle artichoke motif with broadly spreading leaves. Estate damask has translated the traditional motif into a smaller scale, blending silk with cotton and viscose for a less formal air.