antimacassar

thumb|Design of a cloth antimacassar thumb|Armchair with antimacassar-Sheffield Mayors Parlour thumb|Antimacassars on rail carriage seats

An antimacassar is a small cloth placed over the backs or arms of chairs, or the head or cushions of a sofa, to prevent soiling of the permanent fabric underneath. The name also refers to the cloth flap 'collar' on a sailor's shirt or top, used to keep macassar oil off the uniform.