This is a continuous or straight bobbin lace -- that is, the background mesh and pattern are made continuously, or at the same time. The pattern. thread, and gimp is similar to a lace in Palliser's book, plate XXXV, identified as Spanish. The mesh, however, is not consistent with the "maglia de Spagna" ground more associated with Spain. |
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| Please click on images to enlarge. The "clothwork" or dense areas of the lace that define the pattern are a unique weave with interesting texture and a little openwork. The clothwork is outlined with a very subtle gimp thread, that very nicely blends with the lace and is difficult to notice. It does, however, give more definition to the pattern. The mesh is vaguely hexagonal, braided on two sides, twisted on the other four. This form is sometimes called a "Dieppe" ground. This set of clues does match up somewhat with Mechlin lace, but it is of a much heavier thread, and the meandering vague stylized floral pattern is not at all like the quite formal Mechlin designs. A Mechlin ground typically would have longer braids in the mesh. If anyone recognizes this type of peasant-style lace, and can add information, please email us -- we'll publish the info here as we get it. |
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