http://tinyurl.com/ly3jwnh ANTIQUE HM EARLY 18THC VERY RARE RESEAU VENISE POINT LACE
Size: 2.25″ x 43″
Starting Price: $950.00 Buy-it-Now or Make Offer
Auction ends: Dec 08, 2013 15:55:14 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller snakey03rr, Bourbon, Missouri, United States
Comments: The name “Point de Venise á Réseau” is something that should never be used. It was first suggested by an English writer, in the mid 1800’s, and was never a term applied to any needlelace by the actual manufacturers. Today we generally refer to the class of Belgian and Italian laces of this type as ‘flat grounded needlelaces’. The problem is to determine exact origin. This particular piece looks like it might be a lappet, however it is much too long, and has no division indicating two separate pieces joined together.It is more of an insertion piece.
These do come up now and again, I have one in my collection (see the thumbnail on the right below). In technique they are very similar, except that the line of the mesh runs along the length in the first piece, and across it in the second one. The authors who do think about this problem generally ascribe this lace to Burano, later 18th century. By that time the Italian needlelace industry was well past its prime, and the magnificent flat grounded needlelaces of Belgium completely eclipse the Italian efforts (I’ve spoken to Belgian researchers who are extremely upset that the products of their country are assumed Italian because of this “Point de Venise á Réseau” nomenclature.) The Italian work is often described as a little coarse in design with a very cloudy mesh. There is no sign of the couched border that would develop in the 19th c.
The piece listed by the seller is of better quality design than usually seen, with some filling work that actually recalls what they did with the groundwork in the Gros Points.
There is one other possibility – we believe such laces were made in what is now Austria, but we know very little about them. In the portrait of Anna Maria Mozart shown below she is holding a piece of lace that she is presumed to have made herself. It does bear some resemblance to what we are talking about here.
Condition:
Modifications: Can’t see the ends to don’t know how it is terminated.
Damage: One edge is repaired. The rest looks intact from the photos.
Soilage: Looks quite clean.
Unsold, relisted at http://tinyurl.com/khdlpso
http://tinyurl.com/kf4twks antique British Honiton Bobbin Fine Lace Collar
Size: 15.5″ x 17″ laid flat
Starting Price: $24.00
Auction ends: Dec 08, 2013 16:41:19 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller lhowich52, Sayward, BC, Canada
Comments: A Honiton collar. Guess you could call it a Point Honiton since it looks like the brides are buttonholed over, and are in a loose hexagonal mesh. Snails/slugs style, and some fillings are rather narrow tallies, like long oval leaves. Others are more square. Overall a nice looking piece.
Condition:
Modifications: Piece of dress still attached to one tip.
Damage: One area of tally filling damaged. One loose bride just to the upper right in the center.
Soilage: A little stained, judging by the color in the photo, but that might be an optical illusion. One definite tiny brown stain.
No bidders. Relisted as http://tinyurl.com/kk42t45
http://tinyurl.com/lk2xstg Antique Brugge handmade lace lovely table runner edging
Size: 12″ x 44.25″
Starting Price: 29.99 GBP
Auction ends: Dec 09, 2013 05:37:11 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller discover4, London, United Kingdom
Comments: A Bruge Bloemwerk border for a rectangular table runner. Good bold design with precise work. Note the extensive half-stitch work in the motifs which lightens the piece up quite a lot.
Condition:
Modifications: No center linen.
Damage: Nothing obvious.
Soilage: Looks clean and white from the photos.
Sold for 29.99 GBP, 1 bidder.
http://tinyurl.com/lao9yjx Antique Honiton handmade lace very lovely cushion cover ? banner ?
Size: 16.5″ down center, 13.25″ down sides, 14.25: across top
Starting Price: 49.99 GBP
Auction ends: Dec 09, 2013 06:26:57 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller discover4, London, United Kingdom
Comments: An odd shaped piece of Honiton, I’ll suggest it might have been the end of a scarf. Seems rather delicate to have been a covering for a chair arm, and I don’t think that was really an English tradition anyway. The lace is quite sophisticated in technique, and the flower (second one down along the centerline) without any raised work unlike anything I’ve ever seen in Honiton. It does also have the big feathery leaves along the outside that you see in better quality Honiton. Brides are picoted in an approximate square mesh.
Condition:
Modifications: No modifications – mounted on blue silk quilted on the back. Almost like a pouch.
Damage: Small break along one edge.
Soilage: A few small brown stains.
Sold for 77.05 GBP, 3 bidders.
http://tinyurl.com/kmkl9ox Cream silk Bedfordshire-type bobbin lace collar
Size: 24″ (neckline?) x 5″ max depth
Starting Price: 14.99 GBP
Auction ends: Dec 09, 2013 06:26:57 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller 999dogtoby, Bath, United Kingdom
Comments: This looks like a very typical Beds ‘assembled’ collar – a center shaped piece surrounded by plaited borders. The seller says it is silk which would be very unusual, and the photos aren’t really close enough for me to tell. If it is silk I’d ascribe is more to the French Cluny laces. However the design of the leaves and the trails and edge treatment of the borders look very English.
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Nothing obvious in the photos.
Soilage: The cited ‘cream’ color isn’t showing up well in the photos, but may be due to age. Or a natural silk color.
Sold for 23.99 GBP, 4 bidders.
http://tinyurl.com/mam8vqt Chantilly bobbin lace hat veil, c 1860’s
Size: 15″ x 28″
Starting Price: 14.99 GBP
Auction ends: Dec 09, 2013 08:50:33 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller 999dogtoby, Bath, United Kingdom
Comments: A semicircular hat veil of Chantilly. Typical heavy design on the outer edge with esprits throughout the ground. Looks very black – typically a sign of heavier thread used in Belgian work. The French tends to look a little more grey. But it is difficult to tell for certain from the photos.
Condition:
Modifications: None – note the original draw ribbon is still in place.
Damage: A few small holes and some wear along the top edge on the right side. One small darned repair. Pinholes throughout.
Soilage: Black color makes it hard to tell, but nothing obvious.
Sold for 36.00 GBP, 2 bidders.
http://tinyurl.com/lok6cfz ANTIQUE LACE – FINE NEEDLEPOINT LACE CUFFS
Size: ~6″ x 19-20″
Starting Price: $95.00
Auction ends: Dec 09, 2013 09:13:45 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller mithya, Irvington, New York, United States
Comments: Two pieces of fine raised needlelace, probably cuffs, and they appear to be 19th c. I’ll go with Belgian on this one, basically because of the chain of rings in the centers of some flowers, and also the good openwork fillings. The photo’s aren’t close enough for one good test, that is if the cordonnet is buttonholed on with spaced stitches (as opposed to being covered with stitches worked tightly together), that’s a pretty sure sign of Belgian work, and is also done in Point de Gaze. Nice treatment of the brides with the little picoted loops, which mirrors somewhat the edge work.
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Occasional broken bride.
Soilage: A slight bit shrunk and uneven edges, probably washed at some point.
Sold fo r$95.00, 1 bidder.
http://tinyurl.com/m7bssxk ANTIQUE LACE -DRESDEN LACE ENGEAGANTES
Size: ~3-3/4″ x 40″ each, I presume.
Starting Price: $45.00 with reserve
Auction ends: Dec 09, 2013 09:20:37 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller mithya, Irvington, New York, United States
Comments: Two mid 18th c sleeve ruffles of Dresden drawnwork. Really beautiful work, mid 18th c. The ends look unworked, perhaps that’s the natural finished, or maybe they were unfinished and cut short. In fact they have a rather unfinished look at the ends overall. This type of work was an alternative to the more expensive contemporary bobbin and needlelaces and fit well with the fashion for light muslin dress in the 3rd quarter of the 19th century. This is one of the nicest sets I’ve seen come on the market in a long time.
Condition:
Modifications: Appear to be intact, although there is some hemming done along the top. Unknown if the original edge is still there.
Damage: Occasional broken bride.
Soilage: Some age stains.
Sold for $295.00, 3 bidders.
http://tinyurl.com/n8fbxha Brussels duchesse lace-edged handkerchief
Size: 13″ square
Starting Price: 39.99 GBP
Auction ends: Dec 09, 2013 09:42:08 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller 999dogtoby, Bath, United Kingdom
Comments: A handkerchief of Brussels Duchesse. No raised work in the Point de Gaze inserts. There is some well done raised work in the bobbinlace, and note the flower-like decorative needlelace ‘mode’ fillings. I especially like the inner edge treatment and how the projecting motifs are appliqued onto the center cloth. The bobbinlace motifs are small and finely worked.
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Occasional loose border and pinholes in the needlelace. Minor fraying and a few loose brides in the bobbinlace. Some pinholes in the center cloth – minor.
Soilage: Looks clean.
Sold for 76.66 GBP, 3 bidders.
http://tinyurl.com/ku4vzve ANTIQUE LACE -VENETIAN NEEDLEPOINT LACE
Size: 4.5″ x 52″
Starting Price: $45.00 with reserve
Auction ends: Dec 09, 2013 10:12:57 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller mithya, Irvington, New York, United States
Comments: The meandering design, the heavily decorated brides and raised edges of the motifs, all speak to a late 17th c Italian piece. It is diffic8ult to trace the design, so may have been re-assembled somewhat. The upper edge does look cut, with the egrelure added later. Overall not quite a Punto Nuevo, but getting close.
Condition:
Modifications: Interrupted motifs at the engrelure edge, probably cut down from a larger piece. Can’t see the ends of the piece.
Damage: Occasional broken bride.
Soilage: Looks clean.
Sold for $295.00, 3 bidders.
http://tinyurl.com/lguzqen ANTIQUE LACE -FINE BRUSSELS LACE HANDKERCHIEF EDGE
Size: 4.5″ x 52″
Starting Price: $45.00 with reserve
Auction ends: Dec 09, 2013 10:12:57 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller mithya, Irvington, New York, United States
Comments: A Brussels Duchesse handkerchief edge. Raised petal roses (double petals) in the Point de Gaze inserts. Conventional Duchesse bobbinlace motifs – altogether the motifs of everything look a little oversized. Good technique, very crisp, and good design organization.
Condition:
Modifications: None, may never have had a central mount.
Damage: I had to look hard but may have spotted one pinhole in the Pt d G mesh. Overall it is in excellent condition.
Soilage: Looks very clean.
No bids.
http://tinyurl.com/ka6hszh 3 yards 20 ins antique/vintage Bucks lace edging
Size: 2.5″ x 3 yards 20″
Starting Price: 12.00 GBP
Auction ends: Dec 09, 2013 10:46:20 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller derbeatle, Cheltenham, United Kingdom
Comments: A mostly geometric Bucks border with some floral elements.
Condition:
Modifications: Cut into three pieces, but individual lengths are not given. Good design that fills the space well.
Damage: A little worn. Occasional small hole.
Soilage: Seller cites some browning and discoloration.
Sold for 23.99 GBP, 2 bidders.
http://tinyurl.com/kx6w56f Antique/vintage lace scarf
Size: 5″ x 61″
Starting Price: 13.00 GBP
Auction ends: Dec 09, 2013 11:04:19 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller derbeatle, Cheltenham, United Kingdom
Comments: A narrow scarf of bobbinlace guipure, appears to be linen. Very hard to say where this originated, perhaps Spain, maybe France, maybe an Easter European or Northern Italian piece. Interesting design, almost an Art Nouveau feeling. Perhaps someone has a more precise idea? It is a rather complex piece.
Condition:
Modifications: none
Damage: A few frayed threads but you have to look hard to find them.
Soilage: Looks basically clean from the photos, but I see some very tiny brown spots here and there.
Sold for 53.00 GBP, 7 bidders.
http://tinyurl.com/n2a5dr4 ANTIQUE LACE -SUPERB 19THC. BRUSSELS LACE 2.69 Meters
Size: 8.5″ x 106″
Starting Price: $45.00 with reserve
Auction ends: Dec 09, 2013 11:04:19 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller mithya, Irvington, New York, United States
Comments: A reasonably wide, long Point d’Angleterre border. This lace combins bobbinlace motifs with a Point de GAze ground and the best has extensive decorative ‘mode’ needlelace fillings. This is an excellent example – I’ve never seen some of the fillings before. Note also the raised rings at the centers of the small flowers, almost like Rosaline. It’s a later 19th century lace, one of the best of the Belgian mixed laces.
Condition:
Modifications: Can’t see the ends so don’t know if it is cut.
Damage: Nothing obvious from the photos.
Soilage: Very clean, looks unused.
$400.00, 4 bidders, reserve not met.
http://tinyurl.com/l46s9gx A Beautiful Antique Honiton Lace Collar
Size: 38 cm neckline, 85 cm outside edge
Starting Price: 22.00 GBP
Auction ends: Dec 09, 2013 13:17:36 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller winterwonderlandfairy, london, United Kingdom
Comments: A Honiton dress front, snail/slugs style. Motifs are tightly woven and the woven tallies are quite precise. Picoted brides in roughly square pattern. Excellent technique.
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: One or two broken brides, very minor.
Soilage: Looks quite white. Just a little wrinkled. Parts of the neckline look a little rolled.
Sold for 22.00 GBP, 1 bidder.
http://tinyurl.com/lpt6q9w Antique Black Silk Chantilly Lace *12″ wide* c. late 1800’s *Ornate*
Size: 12″ x 1 yard
Starting Price: $48.00
Auction ends: Dec 09, 2013 13:37:46 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller sugarbaby21011, london, United Kingdom
Comments: A Chantilly flounce with some ombre shading. Which could put it in the French Chantilly category, although it does have that very black Belgian look. Seller is offering this by the yard.
Condition:
Modifications: Cut on ends.
Damage: Hard to evaluate since I don’t know if what is shown in the photos has already been sold. There do seem to be some minor pulls, but overall intact.
Soilage: Very black, hard to tell, but looks OK from the photos.
Sold for $48.00, 1 bidder.
http://tinyurl.com/l8bkath ANTIQUE LACE -CIRCA 17-18THC.VENETIAN GROS POINT LACE
Size: ~12″ x 4″ (deep?)
Starting Price: $45.00 with reserve
Auction ends: Dec 10, 2013 07:15:34 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller mithya, Irvington, New York, United States
Comments: A Gros Point collar, Italian, ~1660, very simple in technique which points to the early days in the development of this lace. Note the plain clothwork, but it’s deceptively plain, often sculpted to go around curves. And they would have been heavily finished with dry pressing. So many needlelace problems were fully worked out in this kind of lace. The raised edges are understated, but heavily picoted. I suspect the bride ground was added as a result of the reconstruction.
Condition:
Modifications: Reworked from a larger piece, motifs cut along the collar edges. Looks a little unfinished at the ends.
Damage: Basically intact.
Soilage: Nothing obvious from the photos.
$56.00, 2 bidders, reserve not met.
http://tinyurl.com/lczljoy ANTIQUE LACE -19THC.TIFFANY BRUSSELS POINT DE GAZE FAN
Size: 10″ x 20-22″
Starting Price: $495.00
Auction ends: Dec 10, 2013 07:51:06 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller mithya, Irvington, New York, United States
Comments: A Point de Gaze fan with elaborated embossed Mother of Pearl (Abalone) sticks. Good naturalistic design in the lace. The decorative fillings are a little plain.
Provenance: Not sure where the Tiffany provenance is coming from.
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: A few pinholes, minor, one stick broken.
Soilage: Seller cites some age spots.
No bids.
Note, I’m adding a new section to the descriptions on Provenance.
http://tinyurl.com/l2uguzv ANTIQUE LACE CIRCA 1780, FINE ALENCON LACE LAPPET
Size: 3″ x 47″
Starting Price: $195.00
Auction ends: Dec 10, 2013 08:02:45 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller mithya, Irvington, New York, United States
Comments: Alençon lappets, joined together (although I can’t see the join in the photos.) Typical later 18th c design of a narrow border with sparse design in the center. Brides tortillée, maybe with 1 or 2 buttonholes per side. Looks rather plain, but that was the style. It’s finer technique than it looks in the photos.
Provenance: None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: None, although without seeing the join it’s hard to tell how intact the lappets are.
Damage: Some tiny holes in the fillings. A few pulled threads in the ground, but very minor. Seller cites some repairs, although I can’t find them in the photos.
Soilage: Nothing obvious, no comments from seller.
No bids.
http://tinyurl.com/lxj8fvm ANTIQUE LACE – FINE BURANO NEEDLEPOINT LACE
Size: 3.5″ x 89″
Starting Price: $195.00
Auction ends: Dec 10, 2013 08:02:45 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller mithya, Irvington, New York, United States
Comments: A border of Burano needlelace, imitating the designs found in the early 19th c. Note the couched edge thread, typical of Burano. The extensive esprits in the ground give it a slightly heavy look. This is a lace meant to be ruffled.
Provenance: None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Some small openings and one small repair on one edge.
Soilage: Looks clean from phtoos.
Sold for $227.50, 2 bidders.
http://tinyurl.com/mzhagxy VINTAGE TABLE MOUNTED WOODEN LACE BOBBIN WINDER / HAND SPINNING WHEEL
Size: ~15″ long
Starting Price: 9.95 GBP
Auction ends: Dec 10, 2013 11:20:13 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller titus_a_duxarce, Nottingham, U.K., United Kingdom
Comments: An upright English wooden bobbin winder, clamps to a table edge. I’m pretty sure that the bone ring is to be put on the bobbin clamp to secure the bobbin in place. All wood, hand turned. There were copies of this type of thing made in the past 30 years or so, but this one has a more original feel.
Provenance: None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Looks intact – often the screw on the bottom is damaged in these pieces.
Soilage: Expected patina.
Sold for 45.00 GBP, 4 bidders.
http://tinyurl.com/l2ndjeo ANTIQUE 18THC/19thC HM LILLE FLOUNCE/ LONG AND WIDE 83″ x 5″
Size: 5″ x 83″
Starting Price: $45.00
Auction ends: Dec 10, 2013 13:13:08 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller snakey03rr, Bourbon, Missouri, United States
Comments: A Point ground lace that has a Beveren look to it. Straight border, short, feathery repeats with small sprigs in the ground. Probably early 19th c, since it seems quite fine and looks like it has a soft hand.
Provenance: None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: Looks like the top edge has been cut away. Can’t see the ends.
Damage: One join 4″ from one end. Scattered small breaks in the ground.
Soilage: Light ecru color.
No bids.
My apologies, I’m breaking off here, still unpacking from last week’s trip to New York. Will add a few more later.
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