Exhibition
Lace: The Art of Needle and Bobbin
Higbee Gallery, March 23, 2007 - January 6, 2008
Bobbin Lace Flounce, Non-Continuous
Lace
Linen
117
½” x 23 ¾”
In
this example, the ground joins the various motifs of the “parts” into a regular
pattern repeat. Note the motif of the
phoenix-like bird. As the narrow woven
tapes upon which each motif is built overlapped, a raised edge appeared that
became a distinguishing feature of
Gift
of Jo A. Bidner, 2004.27.10
Flounce of Bobbin Lace, Non-continuous Lace
Linen
103”
x 25”
The
delicate ribbon and floral motifs widely spaced on a mesh ground place this
piece in the middle of the eighteenth century.
The ground is made of 5/8” strips of bobbin mesh joined together while
areas of needlepoint mesh join some motifs.
Gift
of Jo A. Bidner, 2004.27.11
Bobbin Lace Collar
Belgian,
4th quarter, 18th century (Re-made about 1920)
Linen
38”
long
It was
not unusual in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries to re-make older laces
into shapes that could be used in current fashion. The lack of symmetry and the truncated design
elements are the first clues to re-modeling.
Under magnification it is possible to see where the elements of the
pattern have been stitched to the new ground mesh.
Gift
of Colin
Lappet of Bobbin Lace
Linen
19”
x 3 ½”
This
delicate lappet is made entirely of bobbin lace with a drochel ground. Elizabeth M. Kurella
in her Guide to Lace and Linens, published
by Antique Trader Books, says that the mesh, developed in
Gift
of Jo A. Bidner, 2004.27.18
Bobbin and Needle Lace Combination
Linen
31
½” x 2 ½”
In
this border the tree motifs are worked in needle lace while the joins and mesh
are bobbin lace. The ground mesh was
replaced at some point, perhaps shortly after the lace was made.
Gift
of Jo A. Bidner, 2004.27.14