Borders
1715-1725 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
At the beginning of the 18th century, accessories made of finely woven muslin were often the choice of fashionable men and women, although elaborately patterned lace continued to be worn on the most formal occasions. By the 1720s, fashion moved on again. Lace was once more worn by all those who could afford it, but a new style of bobbin lace developed, of great delicacy and refinement, incorporating the soft draping qualities of muslin. It was made particularly in the region around Valenciennes, which although French territory, had a tradition of lace making in the Flemish style, using exceptionally fine thread.
Because of the fineness of the thread, and the density of its patterns, Valenciennes lace was very slow to make. It was straight lace, made in a single strip (rather than several sections which could be made by different workers and joined up), and a lace maker might produce just half a metre of the highest quality Valenciennes in one year.
Because of the fineness of the thread, and the density of its patterns, Valenciennes lace was very slow to make. It was straight lace, made in a single strip (rather than several sections which could be made by different workers and joined up), and a lace maker might produce just half a metre of the highest quality Valenciennes in one year.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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Materials and techniques | Bobbin lace worked in linen thread |
Brief description | Bobbin lace borders, Valenciennes, France, 1715-1725 |
Physical description | Two borders of fine bobbin lace, densely patterned with large curving leaves, feathery flower-heads and flower-filled geometric motifs. Almost entirely in clothwork with lines of openings to define the pattern. Pheasant's eye mesh ground. Short repeat of 4.75 inches (12.1 cm). The head-side has a replaced picot edge. |
Dimensions |
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Credit line | Given by Mrs C. Luck |
Summary | At the beginning of the 18th century, accessories made of finely woven muslin were often the choice of fashionable men and women, although elaborately patterned lace continued to be worn on the most formal occasions. By the 1720s, fashion moved on again. Lace was once more worn by all those who could afford it, but a new style of bobbin lace developed, of great delicacy and refinement, incorporating the soft draping qualities of muslin. It was made particularly in the region around Valenciennes, which although French territory, had a tradition of lace making in the Flemish style, using exceptionally fine thread. Because of the fineness of the thread, and the density of its patterns, Valenciennes lace was very slow to make. It was straight lace, made in a single strip (rather than several sections which could be made by different workers and joined up), and a lace maker might produce just half a metre of the highest quality Valenciennes in one year. |
Collection | |
Accession number | T.31&A-1980 |
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Record created | February 3, 1998 |
Record URL |
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