Pair of Lace Cuffs
1650-1700 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This pair of cuffs is made of a type of heavily textured needle lace, known as gros point de Venise, which was the most fashionable choice between the 1660s and the 1680s for both men and women. During this period the wearing of extravagant displays of lace was increasingly used as a mark of wealth and status. The showiest effects were achieved with lace worn at the throat and at the wrist, setting off the face and hands, but a fashionable man might even have matching lace borders trimming his boot hose.
Materials & Making
Lace for collars and cuffs could be bought either by length or by the piece made to shape, and might be brought back in either form by English travellers returning from abroad. It was then usually taken to a milliner to be made up or at a later stage to be adapted into a newly fashionable style.
Trading
In an attempt to protect the English lace industry a royal proclamation was issued in 1662 forbidding the importation or selling of foreign lace. The royal family was exempt from this prohibition, which also seems to have been widely flouted by members of the court and other fashionable people, for Venetian needle lace of this type continued to be freely sold and worn in London.
This pair of cuffs is made of a type of heavily textured needle lace, known as gros point de Venise, which was the most fashionable choice between the 1660s and the 1680s for both men and women. During this period the wearing of extravagant displays of lace was increasingly used as a mark of wealth and status. The showiest effects were achieved with lace worn at the throat and at the wrist, setting off the face and hands, but a fashionable man might even have matching lace borders trimming his boot hose.
Materials & Making
Lace for collars and cuffs could be bought either by length or by the piece made to shape, and might be brought back in either form by English travellers returning from abroad. It was then usually taken to a milliner to be made up or at a later stage to be adapted into a newly fashionable style.
Trading
In an attempt to protect the English lace industry a royal proclamation was issued in 1662 forbidding the importation or selling of foreign lace. The royal family was exempt from this prohibition, which also seems to have been widely flouted by members of the court and other fashionable people, for Venetian needle lace of this type continued to be freely sold and worn in London.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Needle lace worked in linen thread |
| Brief description | Pair of cuffs of heavily textured Venetian needle lace of linen, made in Venice, 1650-1700 |
| Physical description | Pair of cuffs of heavily textured Venetian needle lace of linen known as gros point de Venise. The central pattern consists of three formal flower motifs arranged one above the other from which radiate scrolls bearing formal leaves and flowers. |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by the Trust of Mrs S.B.P. Lawrie |
| Object history | Registered File Number 1962/2172. Set of dress accessories T.6 to C-1963 |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Object Type This pair of cuffs is made of a type of heavily textured needle lace, known as gros point de Venise, which was the most fashionable choice between the 1660s and the 1680s for both men and women. During this period the wearing of extravagant displays of lace was increasingly used as a mark of wealth and status. The showiest effects were achieved with lace worn at the throat and at the wrist, setting off the face and hands, but a fashionable man might even have matching lace borders trimming his boot hose. Materials & Making Lace for collars and cuffs could be bought either by length or by the piece made to shape, and might be brought back in either form by English travellers returning from abroad. It was then usually taken to a milliner to be made up or at a later stage to be adapted into a newly fashionable style. Trading In an attempt to protect the English lace industry a royal proclamation was issued in 1662 forbidding the importation or selling of foreign lace. The royal family was exempt from this prohibition, which also seems to have been widely flouted by members of the court and other fashionable people, for Venetian needle lace of this type continued to be freely sold and worn in London. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.6B&C-1963 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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