A group of five historic lace objects with intricate motifs; the one on top is a diamond shape with detailed borders, a pattern of small flowers, and then a large flower in the center; the one below is a delicate, small butterfly with dots on its wings and even little antennae on its head; next is a small circle with scalloped edging and a star in the centre; below that is a lace collar with a pattern of three-leafed plants, and then star-shapped flowers below that, with large scalloping on the borders of the collar; last is a square piece with geometric patterns – circles surrounded by square borders, repeating, and the middle of the piece is divided into four quadrants with geometric flowers in the center of each. All are from the 1600s.
A rectangle of lace/crochet sample, that would have been used as a border; the pattern very earthy, with large leaves, trims, and woven, interconnecting vines; the border of the piece is irregular, shaped only by the leaves and flowers themselves, rather than having a strict or controlled boundary that the pattern then sits within. The piece dates from around 1900.
A delicate lace cap from the 1700s, made by needlepoint and featuring patterns of vines, different types of flowers, and leaves.
A rectangle of lace sample, dating from around 1640-1650, with intricate, elegant patterns in swooping motions that are reminiscent of fluer de lis. The work is bolder and with thicker lines than is often scene on lace, but still delicate; the sample was made via needlepoint and would have been part of the trim on the front of a lady’s dress.
Happy #InternationalLaceDay!
Did you know we have 430 lace patterns in our collection? For centuries, lacemaking gave both rural and urban women some economic independence and was an important aspect of society. Which of these historic laces is your favourite? Let us know!
#CrawfordArtGallery
