Featured Lace Collar

This lovely piece of lace is in a fan shaped frame measuring 52cm across. I imagine that it was a collar but I know nothing about lace . I just thought it was fine and bought despite the small crack in the glass.

Can anyone suggest a date and origin please?

 

Can't help with the lace, but that is a fabulous display! Can totally see why you purchased that.

 

@John Brassey
Why without a shadow of a doubt! Handmade Point de Gaze!!! And a lovely design it is! Probably French - circa late 1800's. The frame is cool for it...probably originally a fan frame...but it looks nice there!

Should you decide to have the glass replaced:
a couple suggestions:

First, the lace IS displayed with the proper side up! The raised design is the "top" rather than the back...so make sure that who ever does the framing does it correctly.

If you are indeed having the glass replaced, I would try for an archival uv protected glass and an archival colored mat - rather than "same color" fabric. The lace will look smashing against a color which would highlight every stitch instead of blending in with the background.

I tend to choose a sage green, soft mauve, or soft blue... black is so harsh.

It "looks" as if it has never been laundered. It may be full of dust and be a little grayed out. Unless you know someone who can launder it properly, I'd leave it as is. Once it is washed - unless properly blocked and pinned... it will lose it's crisp edges.

Last, I personally, would have the mat cut, take the frame and mat home, and I tack the lace into the proper place on the mat, using a fine matching thread and tie off the ends on the back. (Many framers use a "dry mount" which is adhesive. That would ruin the lace if it is in need of coming off the board.) After I tack it on the mat, I take it back so they can complete framing... or sometimes I do the rest myself. I also like to add info to the back - so future owners will know something of the item.

Good luck! It is a pretty piece...if you need more info feel free to contact me.

I have more info about fine needle made lace in "Lace Lesson #8" at the beginning of this Textile forum.

Cheerio,
Leslie

 

Yes, it is a frame for a fan leaf, so not for a complete fan. Those frames are very expensive.