The delicate, trailing little sprigs along the straight bottom edge. and the little florets powdering the mesh are characteristic of late 18th century Mechlin lace. What slight bits of clothwork there are in the pattern are outlined with a heavier thread called a "gimp". Because there is so little pattern -- characteristic of the late 18th century period -- some of the design consists only of the trailing gimp. Slightly off white, fair condition. Threads are still supple and resilient, though the mesh is sprinkled with small holes. |
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| Characteristics that define this lace as handmade Mechlin include the distinctive mesh, made continuously with the pattern (note how threads continue from mesh, through the pattern). Elongated hexagon mesh has sided braided for four threads (two pairs) and four side consisting of single pairs of twisted threads. Pattern is surrounded by a heavier thread called a "gimp." |
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