This overview is by no means complete, but depends on the lace
that I have either myself or in books. I'd be grateful for donations
of pictures.
French needle lace, 18th century |
Flemish bobbin lace, 18th century | ||
A bobbin lace from the Belgian town of Mechelen,
also known as Malines. The body is made up of a hexagonal
net into which floral motifs are worked. They are largest
along the scalloped edge and highly repetitive with the
rapport being about 2 cm. The pattern suggests mid-to-late
19th century. |
Another example of this very fine net-ground
bobbin lace. Not as repetitive as the previous one - what
you see is one pattern unit, about 3 cm wide. The pattern
of Mechlin lace is emphasized by an outline of thicker
thread. This particular pattern could pass for 18th century. | ||
Again, one unit of the pattern, about 10 cm
wide. This one is unusual in that it is not simply running
along, but also symmetric within each unit. This style
of fine net-ground lace was popular from the mid 18th
century on. The examples here are probably from the second
half of the 19th century, but this pattern here could
serve for 18th century costume as well. |
A net-ground bobbin lace, therefore similar
to Mechlin and Brussels lace. It is a bit firmer, less
translucent:There is a tendency towards ribbon-like pattern
pieces. The net has a different shape, too (rectangular).
No outlining with thicker thread. Valenciennes was the
most popular lace during the second half of the 18th century.
| ||
The pattern is done in bobbin lace, then applied
to a readymade net ground. In contrast to all-bobbin lace
it has one "good" and one back side as the pattern parts
sit on the net ground instead of being part of
it. The dots (point d'esprit) are just threaded through,
as in tulle embroidery. This was a cheaper substitute
for net-ground bobbin lace used in the late 19th century.
|
is one of the oldest kinds of lace, developed in the 16th century out of drawnwork where the gaps were filled with star and bow patterns. Over time, more and more threads of the base fabric were removed. When the patterns became completely independent of base fabric, Reticella became punto in aria ("in air") and the ancestor of needle lace. This item is a design from a late 16th century pattern book. | ||
The best known English (bobbin) lace, of the net ground variety. It was developed during the mid 19th century. Roses and shamrocks are typical; there is not much repetition. |
A French non-net bobbin lace that was very popular at the end of the 19th century. Very repetitive. | ||
The classic needle lace from Venice. Like so many needle laces, it has a noticeable relief worked over thicker threads. Its height was in the late 17th century. Point de Venise is not repetitive. |
A French non-net bobbin lace, worked in silk ("blonde"). Very repetitive. | ||
A bobbin lace in imitation of needle lace patterns, from Brugge in Belgium. Repetitive, but not very. |
Also known as Argentan after a town near Alençon (France) which is even better known for lace. Argentan is somewhat similar to Alençon, but on a different ground. |
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