This tablecloth is utterly one of a kind. It is handworked guipure lacework - a style of bobbin lace that is worked over a pillow but that often features almost three-dimensional elements that connect to the ground with outlining threads. This is linen lace, and probably dates from the 19th century. The ground is plain rectangular shapes which have been painstakingly woven, surrounding square windows of guipure lace. Every single square seems to be a different design, and as there as 63 squares in total, nine alone one side and seven along the other, this tablecloth is really a masterclass in the lacemaker’s inventiveness and skill. The intricacy of some of these squares is really astonishing, and many of them have raised three-dimensional elements which are slightly detached from their background. The two shorter edges have a relatively plain border of geometric shapes, whilst the two longer sides have an incredibly intricate border consisting of three bands of contrasting patterns edged with a band of geometric pyramid-shaped scallops. The overall effect is breathtaking, and there are months of work in this piece.
This is in very good condition considering its age and the delicateness of much of its ground. There are a couple of small yellowish marks but the intricacy of the pattern makes these difficult to pick out. There are three areas of damage that I can see - one of the panels has come unattached to its neighbour (pictured) and there are two isolated breaks in the single thread details along one of the borders (I have photographed the bigger of the two). These merit a little bit of repair, and I am including with this tablecloth a skein of fine Belgian linen lacemaking thread dating from around 1910 so that you can repair these damages and keep this in a good state of repair. I deeply believe in repairing, I think things that are repaired are even more beautiful than brand-new and perfect, and that when we repair something, we are putting our attention and spirit into that item, and that care can be felt whenever the item is used. And this tablecloth merits attention, it is truly an heirloom piece.
It measures 216×227cm. To purchase, please contact me.
This tablecloth is utterly one of a kind. It is handworked guipure lacework - a style of bobbin lace that is worked over a pillow but that often features almost three-dimensional elements that connect to the ground with outlining threads. This is linen lace, and probably dates from the 19th century. The ground is plain rectangular shapes which have been painstakingly woven, surrounding square windows of guipure lace. Every single square seems to be a different design, and as there as 63 squares in total, nine alone one side and seven along the other, this tablecloth is really a masterclass in the lacemaker’s inventiveness and skill. The intricacy of some of these squares is really astonishing, and many of them have raised three-dimensional elements which are slightly detached from their background. The two shorter edges have a relatively plain border of geometric shapes, whilst the two longer sides have an incredibly intricate border consisting of three bands of contrasting patterns edged with a band of geometric pyramid-shaped scallops. The overall effect is breathtaking, and there are months of work in this piece.
This is in very good condition considering its age and the delicateness of much of its ground. There are a couple of small yellowish marks but the intricacy of the pattern makes these difficult to pick out. There are three areas of damage that I can see - one of the panels has come unattached to its neighbour (pictured) and there are two isolated breaks in the single thread details along one of the borders (I have photographed the bigger of the two). These merit a little bit of repair, and I am including with this tablecloth a skein of fine Belgian linen lacemaking thread dating from around 1910 so that you can repair these damages and keep this in a good state of repair. I deeply believe in repairing, I think things that are repaired are even more beautiful than brand-new and perfect, and that when we repair something, we are putting our attention and spirit into that item, and that care can be felt whenever the item is used. And this tablecloth merits attention, it is truly an heirloom piece.
It measures 216×227cm. To purchase, please contact me.
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