The gorgeous fabric spun of sheer linen and glossed with golden metal threads had been months in the making in Italy.

The shift she wore was of sheer Irish linen and as revealing as a cobweb.

The ragged cloth covering her had been torn from one shoulder; her dark pink nipples showed through the sheer linen.

She smoothed a fold in the sheer linen of her tunic skirts with a deft hand.

Choices include a fairly sheer textured linen and an opaque cotton velveteen ($24 to $54); westelm.com.

The first was an overdress in sheerest linen, too light to be worn alone and maintain modesty.

The fabric was completely different-finely woven linen, pleated and sheer.

The bed was carved of burnished cherry that had been polished to a vibrant luster and canopied with sheer white linen.