http://tinyurl.com/odq4vzm Stunning Antique Honiton Hand Made Bobbin Lace Bertha Collar
Size: neckline 13″, back depth 7″, front depth 8.5″
Starting Price: 82.00 GBP
Auction ends: Aug 17, 2014 05:25:10 PDT
Offered by: Ebay seller pbur3053, Selkirk, United Kingdom
Comments: A deep collar of Honiton with a needle-made mesh, “Point Honiton”. The design is rather on the snails/slugs side, a bit scattered but with an attempt at symmetry. Turkey tails around the outside edge, and some interesting floral work inside. I especially like the extensive woven tally leadwork grids.  Honiton with this type of ground was made well into the 20th century, so this is difficult to date, but I wouldn’t go too early on it.
Provenance:  None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Occasional loose thread.
Soilage: Looks clean.
Finish: No obvious creases or wrinkles.

   Sold for 82.00 GBP, 1 bidder.

http://tinyurl.com/lvojkqt Beautiful Antique Handmade Brussels Guipure Bobbin Lace Bertha Collar
Size: neckline 35″, depth 6″
Starting Price: 78.00 GBP
Auction ends: Aug 17, 2014 06:05:04 PDT
Offered by: Ebay seller pbur3053, Selkirk, United Kingdom
Comments: I think this is probably a Bruges bertha.  The double picoted brides, the use of gimp, and the little ‘islands’ in the brides are all characteristic of Bloemwerk.  Three is also some raised rolled veining, and the single woven tally used in flower centers. One of the filings used seems to be the Dieppe ground, and it is done quite extensively in this piece.  But the small flowers look a little different from what you usually see in Bloemwerk, so another origin is possible.
Provenance:  None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Nothing obvious from the photos.
Soilage: Looks clean.
Finish: No obvious creases or wrinkles.

   No bids.

http://tinyurl.com/n9w4pdx  Collection 45 Samples Hanmade Bedfordshire Bobbin Lace
Size: some 24 cm long, most around 45 cm, others 60-74 cm
Starting Price: 42.00 GBP
Auction ends: Aug 17, 2014 06:15:03 PDT
Offered by: Ebay seller pbur3053, Selkirk, United Kingdom
Comments: I’m not much for short samples, but this collection is really interesting. It appears to be a collection of short Beds sample borders, and one could speculate that they might have come from some kind of sample book.  Or maybe a lacemaker was just practicing technique with short lengths – we often see that, but more for the 1970’s and onward bobbinlace revival.  I don’t think professional lacemakers would have done this. None of them are particularly complex, but still it’s a very interesting set.
Provenance: None cited
Condition:
Modifications: All cut at the ends.
Damage: Nothing obvious from the photos.
Soilage: Looks clean.
Finish: No obvious creases or wrinkles.

  Sold for 46.00 GBP, 2 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/p9kw2uk 19th C. Long English Honiton Bobbin lace Collar Cox Collection
Size: ~4″ x 32″ neckline
Starting Price: $45.00
Auction ends: Aug 17, 2014 07:00:26 PDT
Offered by: Ebay seller lacemerchant, Whiting, Indiana, United States
Comments: A narrow collar of Honiton Point lace, which is Honiton guipure with a needle-made ground.  Snails/slugs style, nicely organized with turkey tails along the outer border and a nice looped motive along the neckline. Some woven tally leadwork fillings, but not many.
Provenance: Ex. coll. Susan Cox of the English Lace School, Tiverton.
Condition:
Modifications: None.
Damage: Nothing obvious from the photos.
Soilage: “Clean ivory white”.
Finish: Some light creasing.

   Sold for $45.00, 1 bidder.

http://tinyurl.com/lrxjqfu ANTIQUE LACE- EARLY BOBBIN LACE W/BUTTERFLIES
Size: 1-3/4″ x 93.5″
Starting Price: $45.00 with reserve
Auction ends: Aug 17, 2014 11:16:59 PDT
Offered by: Ebay seller mithya, Irvington, New York, United States
Comments: A narrow mid 18th c Brussels bobbinlace with droschel ground. Note the picoted bride mesh surrounding some motifs.  Various snowflake-type fillings also used.  I’m not sure I can see the butterflies, mostly look like elaborate flowers to me.  Excellent fine work – finer than it looks, remember the narrow width.
Provenance: None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: Can’t see the ends to tell if they are cut.
Damage: Scattered small repairs and openings.
Soilage: Looks clean.
Finish: Light wrinkling – seller calls it ‘not ironed out in pictures’.

12/5/14, in discussion with the seller, I do see two, maybe three small butterfly-like insects in this piece.

   No bids.

http://tinyurl.com/okcy3lp ANTIQUE LACE- SUPERB BRUSSELS POINT DE GAZE
Size: ~14″ x 15″ at bottom
Starting Price: $295.00
Auction ends: Aug 17, 2014 11:46:19 PDT
Offered by: Ebay seller mithya, Irvington, New York, United States
Comments: Hmmm.  I think this is Alençon, a fragment of a fairly wide border. Thje design is very much in the Brussels Point de Gaze style, but the toilé is much too dense, the the decorative ‘mode’ fillings very elaborate.  The petals of the roses are also not raised, just sculpted with the cordonnet. Also the picots on the lower border are not typical of Point de Gaze – they look like horsehair-made picots with the horsehair taken out. I wish there was an extreme closeup of the mesh which could settle the matter. I’m also thinking this might have been all there was made, and it’s not cut from a longer piece. That’s just a feeling from what I can see of the ‘cut’ ends.  It’s quite an extraordinary piece.
Provenance: None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: Undetermined.  But there is an engrelure added, which would argue for its having been cut down from a longer piece.
Damage: Nothing obvious from the photos.
Soilage: Looks clean.
Finish: Light wrinkling, but reasonably flat.

   Sold for $595.50, 3 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/p67x4bl Antique Maltese Lace Handmade Silk Blonde Panel Wide Flounce French Doll Dress
Size: 19″ neckline, 44″ outside, 7″ deep
Starting Price: $0.99
Auction ends: Aug 17, 2014 18:14:14 PDT
Offered by: Ebay seller 4mimiandme, Brockport, New York, United States
Comments: This doesn’t look like Maltese, I think it might be a French product. The raised woven leaves on the clothstitch ovals are something you see more in the Cluny-type laces, and there is a little-documented type that was often made in silk.  It may not be the most impressive looking piece, but if you look at it closeup, the technique is quite nice.
Provenance: None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: None.
Damage: Nothing obvious from the photos.
Soilage: Looks clean – natural ivory color.
Finish: No obvious creases or wrinkles.

   Sold for $31.76, 10 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/lcxc9jy ANTIQUE LACE BEAUTIFUL POINT DE GAZE COLLAR LEAF PATTERN
Size: 20″ x 19″ laid flat, 4″ center depth
Starting Price: $49.99
Auction ends: Aug 17, 2014 18:54:51 PDT
Offered by: Ebay seller kuchcollectiblesandvintagelinens,Ronkonkoma, New York, United States
Comments: A narrow pieced bobbinlace that does a lot with a few leaf and two flower designs. I especially like the detail and shading on the large leaves. Origin is uncertain – might be Bruges from the use of gimps, and simple irregular brides.  The technique is really quite nice.
Provenance: None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: None.
Damage: Occasional rough spot on the neckline, one large hole where the brides have broken.
Soilage: Cream color.
Finish: A little wrinkled.

   No bids.

http://tinyurl.com/nfufmr6 ANTIQUE LACE MILANESE LACE BOBBIN LACE FLOUNCE LARGE 21″ X 136″ 3,77 YD
Size: 21″ x 136″
Starting Price: $29.99
Auction ends: Aug 17, 2014 18:56:38 PDT
Offered by: Ebay seller kuchcollectiblesandvintagelinens,Ronkonkoma, New York, United States
Comments: A wide border of what looks like Milanese.  It does have a characteristically early 5-pointed star plaited ground, irregularly placed between motifs. The motifs are well sculpted with some holes in the clothwork, and there are some interesting fillings. Is it an early piece? Open to debate – this type of lace was extensively copied in the 19th century in Italy, so I think it would need much closer examination to decide.  Although I am impressed with halfstitch and wholestitch shading, almost like what you see in early Valenciennes.  My feeling is to go pretty early on this piece.
Provenance: None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: Can’t see ends to tell if they are cut.
Damage: Seller documents some holes and edge frays.
Soilage: Ivory color – overall age darkening and storage spots.
Finish: A few light creases that I can see.

   Sold for $303.00, 10 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/mh5coyp ANTIQUE LINENS=FINE CANTU LACE PLACEMATS
Size: 12 mats, each ~12″ x 17″
Starting Price: $395.00
Auction ends: Aug 18, 2014 07:09:24 PDT
Offered by: Ebay seller mithya, Irvington, New York, United States
Comments: 12 Cantú placemats. Fairly elaborate design of typical scrolls with 4-5 petaled flower heads and hooks.  No real figural work except for some simple bows.  Note the mesh ground around the center medallion, photos not close enough to tell how it is made. I wonder if this was part of a larger set.
Provenance: None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: None.
Damage: Nothing obvious from the photos – look unused.
Soilage: Seller cites a few light storage stains.
Finish: No obvious creases or wrinkles.

   No bids.

http://tinyurl.com/m8gzt67 Magnificent Mid to Late 19th Century Fine Brussels Antique Lace Collar~Mint…
Size: 24″ outside edge, 5″ deep
Starting Price: 45.00 GBP
Auction ends: Aug 18, 2014 02:03:22 PDT
Offered by: Ebay seller happy-fella, East Sussex,, United Kingdom
Comments: A Brussels Duchesse square necked collar or dress front. One large Point de Gaze insert with raised petal roses center front, smaller inserts elsewhere. Some of these others have nothing but elaborate grids of decorative ‘mode’ fillings. Some good raised work in the bobbinlace, although not many different motifs are used.  I find the design a little odd with the big PdG center insert and then a more contrasting Duchesse on the sides – but it doesn’t look pieced together.
Provenance: Seller is listing a friend’s collection.
Condition:
Modifications: None.
Damage: Nothing obvious from the photos – PdG mesh looks in good shape.
Soilage: A few localized brown spots, minor.
Finish: No obvious creases or wrinkles.

   Sold for 62.00 GBP, 5 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/qha4lj9 ANTIQUE VINTAGE DUCHESSE BRUSSELS LACE 1800S HANDKERCHIEF STUNNING WEDDING
Size: 12″ square
Starting Price: 4.99 GBP
Auction ends: Aug 18, 2014 13:05:04 PDT
Offered by: Ebay seller vickysilk, somerset, United Kingdom
Comments: A Brussels Duchesse handkerchief, no raised petals in the Point de Gaze insert roses. There are some diamond ‘windows’ in the needlelace petals, however, a sign of better quality work. Fairly conventional bobbinlace work.  Overall it has a nice look, but lots of condition issues.
Provenance: None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: None.
Damage: Holes in the PdG mesh, one cut section, a few broken bobbinlace brides.
Soilage: Looks clean.
Finish: No obvious creases or wrinkles.

   Sold for 51.00 GBP, 7 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/pxov8uk ANTIQUE LACE WIDE LENGTH OF UNUSED HANDMADE POINT DE PARIS BOBBIN LACE
Size: 4″ x 138″
Starting Price: $75.00
Auction ends: Aug 19, 2014 09:02:29 PDT
Offered by: Ebay seller greatlace, Naples, New York, United States
Comments: A long border of Point de Paris. I’m guessing this is early 20th century. There is a tag saying “Made in France”. I’ve seen this before and am not entirely sure what to make of it, because we often associate this lace with Belgium.  Good scrolling rose design.
Provenance: None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: Cut one end, can’t see the other end.
Damage: Nothing obvious from the photos.
Soilage: Cream color.
Finish: Some vertical fold creases.

   Sold for $75.00, 1 bidder.

http://tinyurl.com/mjgcypb  Antique Brussels Point de Gaze Lace Capelet Hand Made Bobbin
Size: 16″ neckline, 70″ bottom edge.”
Starting Price: $138.98
Auction ends: Aug 19, 2014 18:22:41 PDT
Offered by: Ebay seller cherubim_gates, Naples, New York, United States
Comments: A  deep collar or small cape of Brussels Duchesse. Raised petal roses in the Point de Gaze inserts, and the petals have diamond hole decorations.  The Duchesse is rather conventional, with some raised work on halfstitch background.  The piece is notable for the very large Point de Gaze inserts.
Provenance: None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: None.
Damage: One small hole in the PdG mesh, a few broken brides.
Soilage: Seller cites 3 or 4 minute faint areas of discoloration.
Finish: Somewhat wrinkled.

      Sold for $220.12, 6 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/kjppxrm  72″ Length of Exquisite Mid 19th Century Fine Brussels Antique Lace…
Size: 7″ x 72″
Starting Price: 10.00 GBP
Auction ends: Aug 20, 2014 04:44:16 PDT
Offered by: Ebay seller happy-fella, East Sussex,, United Kingdom
Comments: A  border of Brussels Duchesse, no raised work in the Point de Gaze inserts. A little on the Bruges Bloemwerk side as far as the bobbinlace goes, no raised work, just a gimp.
Provenance: Seller is listing a friend’s collection.
Condition:
Modifications: Cut both ends, engrelure added.
Damage: Some small holes and pinholes in the PdG mesh. Occasional broken bride.
Soilage: Hard to tell from the photos, but I think I see some areas of faint discoloration.
Finish: Some vertical fold lines, a little wrinkled.

   Sold for 122.00 GBP, 6 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/ppmanan  Antique Irish Crochet White Lace Collar Cuffs
Size: collar: 14″ neckline, 6″ deep.  cuffs: 3″ x 9″ each.
Starting Price: $49.99
Auction ends: Aug 20, 2014 17:09:56 PDT
Offered by: Ebay seller septrose09, Woodland Park, Colorado, United States
Comments: A  deep collar and two matching cuffs of Irish Crochet. The pattern has interesting flowers, especially the one with the circle of rings – I’ve seen that before.  It’s a bit unusual to find a complete collar and cuff set, and this one is nicely worked with good tight stitches.  I do wish that the photographs would enlarge.
Provenance: None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: A little separation along center neckline.
Soilage: Might be a cream color?
Finish: No obvious creases or wrinkles.

   No bids.

http://tinyurl.com/px3ucem  Fine Italian Needle Lace Mantle / Collar
Size: 18″ across laid flat. 17″ on eather side, 10.25″ center depth.
Starting Price: $350.00 Buy-it-Now
Auction ends: Aug 20, 2014 19:00:37 PDT
Offered by: Ebay seller textiles2012, Hydes, Maryland, United States
Comments: A  dress front of Venise needlelace, and I think it’s Belgian from the style of the flower center fillings and other decorative ‘mode’ fillings. Plus the outside picots appear to be joined by a single thread, that’s a Belgian characteristic of some of the finer Point de Gaze pieces. The piece has quite a beautiful Art Nouveau design, and the technique is excellent.
Provenance: “From an important early 20thc. collection” no details given.
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Nothing obvious from the photos.
Soilage: Looks clean.
Finish: One fold line down the center.

   Buy-it-Now exercised.

http://tinyurl.com/kzuh4sl  Most Exquisite Antique Brussels Lace /Linon Doilie ca. 1900s
Size: 13.5″ x 32″
Starting Price: $29.90
Auction ends: Aug 20, 2014 19:18:03 PDT
Offered by: Ebay seller upkon13, Bad Wörishofen, Germany
Comments: A Brussels Duchesse table linen; I’ve never seen anything quite like this before. There are some wonderful needle-made grid fillings around the center cloth. The Duchesse is excellent, with a little raised work.  An interesting and unusual piece.
Provenance: None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Nothing obvious from the photos.
Soilage: Looks clean.
Finish: Some puckering in the center cloth -it doesn’t lay flat, so I’m wondering if it might be a replacement.  The lace is slightly creased in one place.

   Sold for $89.00, 4 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/n32qtov  Extraordinary 19th C. Black Bedfordshire Bobbin lace Cape Collar COLLECTOR
Size: ~13″ deep center back
Starting Price: $95.00
Auction ends: Aug 20, 2014 20:14:35 PDT
Offered by: Ebay seller lacemerchant, Whiting, Indiana, United States
Comments: A small cape of black silk Le Puy guipure.  Le Puy is famous for the complexity of its grounds – t his piece has the standard 6 pointed picoted star ground, and a more complex ground around the lower scallops.   The star ground is given some orientation by some double brides. I especially like the little star-motifs hanging free in the circular inserts.
Black silk guipures are an under appreciated lace in my opinion.  It’s hard for collectors to come to love so much black.  But given a chance you can find a lot there.
Provenance: None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: A few broken and frayed threads.
Soilage: Looks clean, but hard to tell with black lace.
Finish: No obvious creases or wrinkles.

   Sold for $147.50, 3 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/lyl6q5q  Fine Little Brussels Lace Applique on net Collar — mid 19th C. CW Fashion
Size: ~1.75″ deep, 14.5″ neckline.
Starting Price: $38.00
Auction ends: Aug 20, 2014 21:02:55 PDT
Offered by: Ebay seller lacemerchant, Whiting, Indiana, United States
Comments: A small, narrow collar of Brussels bobbinlace applique on machine tulle. Very small pieces of application are unusual, and I wonder if this isn’t an adaptation from a larger piece. Note the folded over tulle along the collar neckline, so I wonder if the neckline edge is a later addition. The motifs don’t look cut off, but the ends don’t really properly terminate.  The motifs are small, delicate and very nicely done.
Provenance: None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: Maybe.
Damage: Nothing obvious from the photos. Tulle looks in good shape.
Soilage: Pearl white. Seller says it has been washed, but gives no details.
Finish: No obvious creases or wrinkles.

   No bids.

http://tinyurl.com/mpsy8tp  Antique Handmade Wedding Hanky Stunning
Size: 13.5″ square
Starting Price: $65.00 Buy-it-Now
Auction ends: Aug 22, 2014 08:22 AM PDT
Offered by: Ebay seller kikiantiques, West Palm Beach, Florida, United States
Comments: A Ñanduti handkerchief. The usual palm leaf border is extended with fanciful frills – I haven’t seen that before. The corner sol motifs have two different patterns, and spaces in between are filled with jojoba pattern. Beautiful technique, probably around the 1950’s.  The trimming of the cloth where attached to the lace is a little rough.
Provenance: None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: None.
Damage: Some broken threads on the outer edge.
Soilage: I see a few tiny brown spots.
Finish: No obvious creases or wrinkles.

   Unsold.

http://tinyurl.com/ozzr6zr  ANTIQUE STUNNING IRISH YOUGHAL NEEDLE LACE LARGE HANDKERCHIEF 17″ X 17″ VGC
Size: 17″ square
Starting Price: 5.50 GBP
Auction ends: Aug 23, 2014 06:08:26 PDT
Offered by: Ebay seller collinsclarke, Cardiff, United Kingdom
Comments: A Youghal needlelace handkerchief. Not many fillings; this piece relies mostly on decorated clothwork.  It has a very beautiful flowing leaf and flowerhead design.  Beautiful symmetry and excellent technique.
Provenance: None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: None.
Damage: Nothing obvious from the photos.
Soilage: Looks clean.
Finish: Fold lines and some lighter creases.

   Sold for 457.00 GBP, 7 bidders.