What's the purpose of a doily?

Question

for decoration or what?

Answer 1

Decoration, protection of a surface, handmade piece of
art, depends totally on the quality of the piece and your
interest in it.

Answer 2

You can also use the disposable paper ones for cake decorating... For a cake that you would only sift powdered sugar on, lay the doily on first, dust with the sugar and carefully remove.

Voila!, a fancy decoration, usually resembling a snowflake, on the cheap!

Answer 3

Doilies on furniture are sometimes called antimacassars, it literally means against oil, they were intended to protect furniture from the hair oil that people used in the old days. Paper doilies underneath baked goods also help to absorb oil.

Answer 4

It adds a piece of elegance to the look of your tablescape for any special occasion. It kind of "dresses up" the plate it sits on.