Very subtle and elegant Mechlin (also called Malines) bobbin lace. The complex design covering more than half of the area of the lace, with just a small area of background mesh, suggest the date of the second quarter of the eighteenth century. Both ends of the edging are finished off with a sort of hem. |
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| Stylized carnations and leaf sprigs are separated with swags. The pattern repeat is actually much longer than it appears at first glance. The swag motif with elaborate diamond-shaped floral filling stitch alternates with two different motifs: a stylized carnation motif, and a leaf sprig motif. |
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| There is a seam about 4 inches from one edge. Although it is stitched in fairly heavy thread, and is fairly prominent, it may have been put in early in the life of the edging. The engrelure, or top edge, which is itself a handmade bobbin lace, is continuous at that point. This suggests the seam already was put in when the engrelure was added. In spite of the density of the seam, it carefully followes the conture of the pattern. |
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