Le Plongeon 1918 tea towel captures a frozen moment of Art Deco elegance - a diver mid-plunge, black swimsuit against a pale blue sea, a seagull wheeling past as the horizon stretches wide behind her.
Printed on 100% linen and measuring approximately 50cm x 70cm, it's equally at home folded over an oven handle or framed as a display piece. Made in Australia, each tea towel arrives beautifully presented in a full-colour sleeve - ready to give or keep.
Every order is gift wrapped in retro paper, so you can send it straight to the recipient if you like. Add a personalised note at checkout and we'll include it with no mention of cost.
Free shipping across Australia, always.
Buy 3 or more tea towels - feel free to order a mix of designs - and save a min. of $15 + free shipping! * Please note: this additional discount does not apply during a sale.
The protective watermark in the centre of our online images will not appear on your ordered item, we promise. It's only there to stop schmucks downloading and reproducing our restored files and original creations.
Ever wondered why we're all a bit obsessed with tea towels?
Behind the Seams
Turns out they've got quite the history!
• The term “tea towel” comes from its original use in tea service: lining trays, draping over teapots, drying fine china and glassware.
• The material of choice was often linen or a linen-cotton blend because it was soft, lint-free and gentle on delicate china and glass.
• In Victorian times, using a good tea towel became part of the display of refinement: a woman might hand-embroider the towel with motifs, monograms and use it for afternoon tea to impress her guests.
• With the advent of the Industrial Revolution and mass textile production in the late 18th and 19th centuries, tea towels became more affordable and their use broadened beyond elite homes.
• In the early 20th century, tea towels started to serve not only functional roles but they also became decorative or promotional and were often printed with advertisements, landmarks, calendars and souvenir motifs.
• In the U.S. during the Great Depression, resourceful homemakers repurposed flour sacks into tea towels; flour companies even printed designs on sacks knowing they'd be used and seen.
• In May 1890, Van Gogh painted Daubigny's Garden on a red and white striped tea towel because he had no canvas available at the time. This original tea towel painting is now part of the Van Gogh Museum's collection.
• Today the tea towel is back as a design icon: often displayed rather than just used, printed with bold and colourful imagery, proudly displayed in kitchens and even framed. They make a wonderful gift and we're astonished (and a little envious) of those who add a collection to a drawer so that they always have a gift on hand.
Customer Reviews
Overall rating: 5 / 5 from 3872 reviews.
It complements the other prints we’ve gotten from you
Thank you- it was a Father’s Day present for my husband who has always loved this print even though he has a fear of heights! We have yet to find the perfect place but it’s looking great in his home office at the moment. Amazing service and beautiful quality. We are very happy!
She's beautiful ! ❤️
Exactly what we wanted/expected/received.
She's made into the frame, and is about to go onto the wall where I'm sure she'll serve us well for many years 🤞
Store owner replied:
Thanks for your kind words Julie, always appreciated.
Very happy with my purchase the picture adds a splash of colour and fun to my laundry. The weight and quality of the paper was good and arrived in time dealing with the company was also great 🙏
Store owner replied:
Thanks Linda, that's exactly what we aim for. Glad you love it x
this vintage print of the diver really impressed me for its quality and it’s colour. It is an engagement present for a young friend of mine. I wanted a small gift that was unique. I hope she loves it as much as I do. The message was great the packaging exceptional and the black cat cards I bought from you suited the style.
Store owner replied:
Thanks Rachael, very kind words x
I just love the print it is exactly as described & looked on the website, the professional way& communication that I received from retro prints especially Matt was above & beyond, I would not hesitate to recommend them.
Thanks guy’s I would certainly buy off them again
Store owner replied:
Thank Kirsten, so pleased you like the cards and our service. Sounds like we're doing okay on a couple of fronts 😊
I bought a variety of ten designs and they are all beautifully printed. Cards are generous in size, very good quality, and feel just a bit more special than your average card. Would highly recommend.
RETRO WALL PRINTS We print and frame to order so your print will have been produced just for you.
Please allow for the following production times:
3-5 business days for unframed prints plus delivery.
10 business days for framed prints & canvas plus delivery.
Please note that during busy sale periods these times may vary.
TEA TOWELS & GREETING CARDS Please allow approx 3 days plus delivery.
Shipping across Australia is FREE.
We ship via AusPost or courier depending on the item. Very large prints and large orders may be sent via a dedicated art van.
As soon as an order is dispatched you will receive a link with tracking details. We ask that you monitor this link for an estimated delivery time.
Standard delivery with tracking via AusPost is usually within 3-7 days across Australia.
Express Post via AusPost is usually within 3 days across Australia.
Courier times will vary depending on the location in Australia.
At Retro Print Merchants (RPM), we get it - sometimes you just change your mind, and that’s totally okay. That’s why we have created the RPM Change-Of-Mind Returns Policy.
This Returns Policy applies to full-priced framed art, framed and stretched canvas, unframed art prints and tea towels.
The RPM Change-Of-Mind Returns Policy does not apply to:
any sale items, promotional offers, discounted products, trade or wholesale priced items, bundle offers or greeting cards
personalised items such as personalised beach, market or cycling prints or personalised tea towels
RPM gift cards or items purchased with an RPM gift card
To start the return process, please email us at enquire@retroprintmerchants.com.auwithin 14 days of receiving your order and include the following details:
The customer’s name the order was placed under
The 5-digit RPM order number
Your reasons for wishing to return your order
We are unable to accept requests for Change-Of-Mind Returns more than 14 days after customer receipt of order.
Please do not ship returns back to RPM without first receiving an email with instructions and the appropriate return address.
Customers are responsible for the cost of return shipping which should include tracking. Items should be returned in the same condition in which they were received by the customer, in the original packaging with a copy of the RPM order confirmation.
Once shipped you should email your details, order number and tracking number to enquire@retroprintmerchants.com.au. Please ensure returns are shipped to the address we provide you (which may vary) as we cannot be responsible for lost returns, or items damaged during the return shipping process.
Please follow the conditions and instructions above to set your return up for a positive result.
Once your return order is received by us, our production department will assess the condition of the item/s and we will notify you of the outcome.
For Change-Of-Mind Returns, RPM offers store credit or exchange. If the exchange item is of a lower value, the balance will be issued as store credit.
This Change-Of-Mind Returns Policy forms part of the terms and conditions for accessing retroprintmerchants.com.au.
The protective watermark in the centre of our online images will not appear on your item, we promise.
It's only there to stop schmucks (one particularly annoying schmuck in the tea towel industry) from downloading and reproducing our restored designs and original creations.
