LaceNews

Greetings from Minnesota, where the windchill tonight will be about 40 degrees below zero. I have no idea if my flight back to New Mexico will happen tomorrow or not!

Jan 27th update: Thermometer hit 17 degrees below zero last night (Fahrenheit), wind chill reached 40 degrees below zero.  My flight is NOT cancelled.

http://tinyurl.com/kku7up8 ANTIQUE 17th C. Colonial Spanish Sol tablecloth Hungarian bobbin lace Tenerife
Size:  42″ x 70″
Starting Price: $24.99 with reserve
Auction ends: Jan 27, 2014 15:47:35 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller slavart, Worcester, United Kingdom
Comments: Seller thinks this could have been an table or altar or bed cover.  I have seen early Spanish pieces like this in the Arenys de Mar museum in Spain, but who knows if the date attribution of even those is correct?  Probably made in Spain. It does look like a drawnwork, not a frame-made sol lace. The edge could be Hungarian, but tape laces like this were made all over Europe, and it has a more Italian feel to me.  I’d love to get this whole piece under the microscope.
Provenance:  Recent museum deaccession.  There’s a tag reading ‘Wheels “Sols” Spanish often made in South America (bobbin edge) 17th C.’.
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Seller cites some loose threads and minor tears. Missing some ‘petals’ of flowers in the sol motifs.
Soilage:  Minor discoloration and stains.  Seller soaked it and air dried it, apparently it was quite dirty before the wash.

   Sold for $217.49, 7 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/lqtd7ln dentelle Chantilly aux fuseaux 2,50m x 33cm Silk Hand Made Bobbin Lace 19thc
Size:  13″ x 98.4″
Starting Price: 25.00 EUR
Auction ends: Jan 28, 2014 11:05:16 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller sirjle, Paris, France
Comments: A moderately wide border of Chantilly, and long lengths like this are not uncommon.  Simple design with a short repeat of flower sprays and swags below. No esprits in the ground.
Provenance:  None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Several small holes in two areas, see photos.
Soilage:  Nothing obvious from photos.

   Sold for 25.00 EUR, 1 bidder.

http://tinyurl.com/lycnebq Antique Large French Chantilly Hand-made Lace Collar *
Size:  16″ center back depth
Starting Price: $25.00
Auction ends: Jan 28, 2014 12:46:06 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller jaruk, Worcester, United Kingdom
Comments: A large Chantilly shawl collar. Fairly simple design of large trumpet-shaped flowers around the edge, an angular trail above, and small sprigs and esprits in the remaining ground.  Medium sized shaped pieces of Chantilly like this aren’t too common.
Provenance:  None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Seller cites two repairs. One tiny hole.
Soilage:  Looks in good shape from the photos.

   Sold for $239.50, 6 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/kwvdw39 ANTIQUE LACE SIX FANTASTIC MIXED LACE DOILIES WITH POINT DE GAZE CENTERS
Size:  5.5″ diameter
Starting Price: $75.00
Auction ends: Jan 28, 2014 14:06:39 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller greatlace, Palm Beach, Florida, United States
Comments: An interesting set of six Brussels Duchesse doilies or coasters. A well done flower in Point de Gaze in the center, surrounded by outward facing leaves in Duchesse, then a more random outer bobbinlace border. Quite effective and very unusual.  Lots of raised work.  I don’t think I’d have the nerve to use these. Which might be why they look unused.
Provenance:  None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: None. Wonder if there’s more to the set.
Damage: Nothing obvious from the photos.
Soilage:  Seller cites ‘original patina’.

   Sold for $258.08, 5 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/m7ab8xz ANTIQUE LACE-ORNATE 19THC.BRUSSELS POINT DE GAZE FAN
Size:  ~14″ long
Starting Price: $495.00
Auction ends: Jan 29, 2014 08:36:10 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller mithya, Irvington, New York, United States
Comments: A Point de Gaze fan with pierced and decorated sticks.  No raised work in the lace, and some well done decorative ‘mode’ fillings. Good naturalistic design, well outside the typical rose/leaf pattern. This is a higher end market piece.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: One repair to a stick, one crack in a guardstick needs repair. The lace looks intact.
Soilage:  A few localized small brown spots.

   No bids.

http://tinyurl.com/kfhsw3p Vintage Lace ~1780: point ground Lille Directoire, 108″x3.5″
Size:  3.5″ x 108″
Starting Price: $0.99
Auction ends: Jan 30, 2014 10:36:16 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller den232, West Newton, Massachusetts, United States
Comments:  A border of Lille or Arras with a light design that might be associated with late 18th, early 19th century.  Straight edge, well executed.  I think the ground looks a little slubby, probably a sign of linen thread.  It doesn’t have quite the precise thin architectural design of the directoire, but it’s getting there.
Yes, I am helping this seller with descriptions.
Provenance:  From the collection of the seller’s mother.
Condition:
Modifications: One end cut, the other looks bound.
Damage: A few breaks in the foot edge, some tiny holes in the mesh.
Soilage:  Looks clean from the photos.

   Sold for $228.50, 9 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/m86wkjy Vintage Lace ~1680: Venetina Coraline or Point de Neige, 17″ x 4″
Size:  4″ x 17″
Starting Price: $0.99
Auction ends: Jan 30, 2014 10:47:33 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller den232, West Newton, Massachusetts, United States
Comments:  A section of late 17th c Italian or French needlelace. The hexagonal ground probably indicates a Point de France type. But the lack of a strong ‘candelabra’ symmetry points more toward Italy. No obvious raised work. The definitive work on this type of lace has yet to be written.
Provenance:  From the collection of the seller’s mother.
Condition:
Modifications: Cut on both ends. Hard to say if the design is interrupted at the top, but possibly.
Damage: A few breaks in the foot edge, some tiny holes in the mesh.
Soilage:  A few small brown stains.

   Sold for $338.00, 7 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/mgbayvh Vintage Lace ~1740: Brussels a Brides Bobbinlace, 7″ x 30″
Size:  7″ x 30″
Starting Price: $0.99
Auction ends: Jan 30, 2014 10:51:20 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller den232, West Newton, Massachusetts, United States
Comments:  A short length of Brussels bobbinlace with a picoted bride ground.  Some raised work, and the motifs are a bit large and scattered. Almost has a Brabant look.
Provenance:  From the collection of the seller’s mother.
Condition:
Modifications: Cut on both ends.
Damage: One end a little ragged. No other obvious damage.
Soilage:  A large brown stain on the ragged end.

   Sold for $431.60, 8 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/kl2xbyl 1860 DELICATE AND AIRY HAND MADE FRENCH CHANTILLY LACE LARGE MOURNING SHAWL
Size:  54″ x 114″
Starting Price: $24.99 with reserve
Auction ends: Jan 30, 2014 13:08:18 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller heartnsoul1, Hollis, New Hampshire, United States
Comments:  A triangular Chantilly shawl.  Fairly large motifs, typical romantic design.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Some holes in the mesh, parts look quite frayed.
Soilage:  No obvious stains or fold lines.

   Sold for $81.00, 3 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/lv6zldu ANTIQUE MALTESE LACE BOLERO or VEST
Size:  7″ x 30″
Starting Price: 5.00 gbp
Auction ends: Jan 31, 2014 11:09:18 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller minimine45, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
Comments:  A small vest of silk Maltese bobbinlace.  Maltese crosses around the edges, and massed woven leaf roundels in the body. I think there might be some more elaborate guipure in the back, but it’s not in the photos.
Provenance:  None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Nothing obvious from the photos.
Soilage:  Looks clean in the photos.

   Sold for 16.09 GBP, 6 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/mvuzqsh BINCHE BOBBIN LACE HANDKERCHIEF FRAMED
Size:  lace 9″ square, frame 11″ square
Starting Price: $10.00 with reserve
Auction ends: Feb 01, 2014 14:55:05 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller eastayton, London, England, United Kingdom
Comments:  A handkerchief of Point de Fee. This technique is based on some very early Belgian bobbinlaces, but modernized and is now often made by advanced amateurs. Several books have been written on the technique. This one has a good symmetric design – in some pieces there is figural work, but not here. An impressive lace, probably later 20th c.
Provenance:  None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: None, framed, I don’t know how it was mounted.
Damage: Nothing obvious from the photos.
Soilage:  Looks very clean.

   Sold for $180.00, 1 bidder.

http://tinyurl.com/kerlfnk BRUSSELS POINT DE GAZE NEEDLE LACE BERTHA COLLAR 19th CENTURY
Size:  lace 9″ square, frame 11″ square
Starting Price: $10.00 with reserve
Auction ends: Feb 01, 2014 15:00:21 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller eastayton, London, England, United Kingdom
Comments:  A high end market Point de Gaze bertha.  I think it is Belgian – the mesh does not look Burano, and the cordonnet is buttonholed over with loosely spaced stitches.  Burano virtually never varied from the couched cordonnet and the rather regimented pillow-made mesh.  To me this looks like a typical flat Point de Gaze with fairly elaborate filling stitches -with some windows in the clothwork and single spiked picots on the outer edge.  Not quite as over-the-top as some, but with some good large areas of decorative filling grids. It does have some ‘venise’ bride areas, but that’s not too unusual. My only gripe is that the pattern is not symmetry so the matching is a little awkward at the ends.
Provenance:  None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: None.
Damage: I see one spot where the mesh has been repaired, and some pulls in the ground.
Soilage:  Looks quite clean from the photos.

   $117.50, 4 bidders, reserve not met.

http://tinyurl.com/jw296ua VENETIAN NEEDLE LACE Ca 1670
Size:  30 cm max width x 150 cm
Starting Price: $10.00 with reserve
Auction ends: Feb 01, 2014 15:05:19 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller eastayton, London, England, United Kingdom
Comments:  A gros point or rose point sleeve flounce? One thing I like about it is the left-right symmetry. If you look at a line down the center it is mirror symmetric. I’m not sure about the shape itself, may have been cut down from something larger. But mainly it looks untouched. The raised edges look nicely sculpted, and the bride decorations are suitably elaborate. Yet still, dating these things is extremely difficult. We now know that extraordinarily good copies were made, particularly in England in the late 19th century.
What I would look for in a piece like this is a certain patina that speaks of extreme age, and some appropriate wear.  What also bothers me a bit is the looped picoted border is something you see more in early English flat point laces. But I’m going to be bothered by every single piece of lace like this that comes up. It’s time for us to question them very carefully.
Provenance:  None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: Reshaped into present form?
Damage: Occasional broken bride.
Soilage:  Hard to tell the color form the photos.

   Sold for $670.00, 5 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/n6k6ctc CRAVAT POINT DE FRANCE NEEDLELACE 17th CENTURY
Size:  22″ square
Starting Price: $10.00 with reserve
Auction ends: Feb 01, 2014 15:15:31 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller eastayton, London, England, United Kingdom
Comments:  A square of Point de France which could certainly be used as a cravat end. Note the candelabra symmetry.  All sides do look finished, but I’m a little worried that the repeat has two elements and there are two repeats that are not arranged symmetrically. If you look very carefully, the left side finishing is not the same as the right side.  I’m thinking this was cut from a larger piece.  The lace itself is bordering on a Point de Neige style with quite elaborate raised work.
Provenance:  None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: I think it was cut from a larger piece.
Damage: Occasional frayed thread.
Soilage:  I don’t know how accurate the color is in the photo.

   Sold for $620.50, 5 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/kjo22ub CHANTILLY LACE FAN WITH MONOGRAM 19th CENTURY
Size:  12.5″ long
Starting Price: $10.00 with reserve
Auction ends: Feb 01, 2014 15:20:39 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller eastayton, London, England, United Kingdom
Comments:  A Chantilly fan with faux tortoise shell sticks and an elaborate monogram. Might be an ‘E’?  Comes with a worn tassel. The lace is a standard Chantilly romantic style, center flowers, swags all around.
Provenance:  None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Nothing obvious from the photos.
Soilage:  Looks clean, but black lace is difficult to evaluate.

   Sold for $182.50, 6 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/mwj5knj ITALIAN BURANO NEEDLELACE SHAPED FLOUNCE VERY LARGE 19th CENTURY .
Size:  40 cm deep, 380 cm outside edge.
Starting Price: $960.00 Buy-it-Now or Make Offer
Auction ends: Feb 01, 2014 15:30:47 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller eastayton, London, England, United Kingdom
Comments:  A Burano needlelace border, very long and quite deep. Not entirely sure how this was intended to be used, perhaps around a skirt? The design is fairly typical of Burano, the large flowerheads and leaves.
Provenance:  None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: A few small repairs, some tiny holes in the mesh.
Soilage:  Looks clean from the photos.

   Unsold.

http://tinyurl.com/mojtc7r ENGLISH NEEDLELACE WITH HOLLIE POINT MONOGRAM A P 17th C PAT EARNSHAW COLLECT
Size:  not given.
Starting Price: $10.00 with reserve
Auction ends: Feb 01, 2014 15:35:37 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller eastayton, London, England, United Kingdom
Comments:  An early English flat point needlelace, with initials “A P”.  I have a similar one in my collection with initials “S W”. I wish one would show up with a date!  Note the loops used as bride decorations and edgings, very similar to the Gros Point piece I reviewed above. One thing about the early English needlelaces that actually carried over into Hollie point – the stitch used in the clothwork is not a twisted buttonhole, but a knotted stitch.  This is not documented in any history that I’ve examined, but it is very obvious when you look at these things closely.  It’s worth a research paper.
These pieces show up fairly regularly, usually without initials.
Provenance:  Ex. coll. Pat Earnshaw.
Condition:
Modifications: Cut down.
Damage: A few loose threads.
Soilage:  Looks clean from the photos.

   Sold for $521.50, 6 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/mzkc7uv Yardage Fine Handmade Late 18th C. MECHLIN bobbin lace
Size:  2.5″ x 2 yards 6″
Starting Price: $125.00
Auction ends: Feb 01, 2014 19:14:35 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller lacemerchant, Whiting, Indiana, United States
Comments:  A border of Mechlin, more in the directoire style of early 19th c. Very light design, thin motifs both along the border and in the ground.
Provenance:  None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: Three seams. Can’t tell the edge finishing.
Damage: A few pulls some small holes/pinholes in the mesh.
Soilage:  Looks clean from the photos.

   No bids.

http://tinyurl.com/knhsxz2 MAGNIFICENT HEIRLOOM FINE ANTIQUE LACE SHAWL/VEIL PROBABLY BRUSSELS LACE
Size:  104″ x 50″
Starting Price: 0.99 GBP
Auction ends: Jan 19, 2014 13:17:55 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller celestial20_0, Lanarkshire, United Kingdom
Comments: A triangular shawl of Brussels bobbinlace application on machine net. Probably 3rd quarter 19th c – this form was mean to be spread out in back over large crinoline skirts or bustles.   Some needlelace fillings. Photos aren’t close enough to get a really good look at some of the flowers, parts of which might be needle-done. But in lieu of that I’ll have to say that the needlelace is just confined to fillings. The motifs are surprisingly large, even the esprits in the ground are a bit over-sized.  The design is typical romantic 2nd Empire, although not quite as refined as you usually see in the high end market pieces.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Two patched repairs, some small holes, a few pinholes.
Soilage:  Doesn’t hang too well in the overall photo – I think it would straighten out laid flat. But the large photo is very much appreciated. In general looks clean.

   Sold for 1,605.00 GBP, 9 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/k8pnmxa ANTIQUE VINTAGE HANDMADE HONITON LACE EDGED HANDKERCHIEF
Size:  14″ square
Starting Price: $95.00
Auction ends: Jan 19, 2014 17:53:29 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller yellow_daisy, Carlisle, Massachusetts, United States
Comments: A handkerchief of Honiton guipure. Design is a little snails/slugs, but not bad. It basically relies on 4 motifs, the rose, trefoil leaves, some fern-like leaves, and a small flower or perhaps start of a thistle design near the inner cloth. All quite nicely done. Irregular picoted bride ground. Nice handling of the drawnwork edge on the inner cloth. A nice example of a typical product.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Nothing obvious from photos.
Soilage:  Fold lines, but not stained.

   Sold for $172.50, 3 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/nylgt8a Exceptional Antique Hand Made MALTESE LACE TRIM~FLOUNCE~5″ Wide 126″ Long~SILK
Size:  14″ square
Starting Price: $99.00
Auction ends: Jan 19, 2014 18:24:38 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller mlquilts07, Burnsville, Minnesota, United States
Comments: I think this is a Northern Italian border, primarily from the way the head and foot edges are treated. More elaborate than what you would expect in Eastern European tape laces, although that is a possibility.  Good bold design, and I like the double picoted brides and the plaited edge.  It almost looks like something you’d see along the border of a tablecloth.  I’ll speculate the thread is linen, but it’s hard to tell from the photos.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: Can’t see the ends to tell if it is cut, although seller cites ‘minor fraying along the unfinished edges’.
Damage: Nothing obvious from photos.
Soilage:  Cream color comes through on the photos. Seller cites some light storage spots.

   No bids.

http://tinyurl.com/mjqamx9 Antique Handmade Brussels Lace Flounce 176″ by 8″ wide Great Condition 14+ feet
Size:  8″ x 14.6 feet
Starting Price: $265.00
Auction ends: Jan 19, 2014 18:24:59 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller cayantiques, Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Comments: Looks like Belgian Point de Milan, which was mostly a tape lace with a needle-made ground.  This one is a bit unusual, it almost has an English design feel. There are some small motifs in addition to the tapes, and the looped tape and small motifs are a little unusual. So are the extensive needlelace fillings. I’ll call it Belgian, but not entirely certain – later 19th early 20th c.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: One end looks properly terminated, the other looks like the work just stopped there.
Damage: Seller cites 1 small fray on end corner.
Soilage:  Creamy color.  Nothing obvious from the photos.

   No bids.

http://tinyurl.com/m7dldww ANTIQUE FAUX TORTOISE BRUSSELS POINT DE GAZE LACE FAN WITH PEARLS & DIAMONDS
Size:  9.75″ long
Starting Price: $250.00
Auction ends: Jan 20, 2014 04:16:31 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller lmlantiques, Montevideo, Uruguay
Comments: A fan of Brussels Duchesse with blonde sticks and some pearl embellishments.  Raised rose petals in the Point de Gaze inserts.  Good design, note the large center Point de Gaze insert.   Wish I knew more about the lace import business in South America – but we may be about to fix that… stay tuned.
Provenance:  Comes with a box labeled Andres Rosello, Morasca & Rosello sucesores, calle Sarandi 624, Montevideo.
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Looks basically intact from the photos.  Point de Gaze mesh looks good.
Soilage:  Some rust spots in the lace.  The lace looks a little brown from the photos, but that might just be the photography.

   No bids.

http://tinyurl.com/l47rds8 Antique Honiton lace handmade lovely Collar
Size:  16″ neckline, 5.5″ deep
Starting Price: 19.99 GBP
Auction ends: Jan 20, 2014 08:04:12 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller discover4, London, United Kingdom
Comments: A rather busy Honiton collar with what I think is a needle-made mesh.  Turkey-tail border with some meandering leaves in the center section – simple loops around the neckline.  Somehow it all works.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Seller cites a few minor pulls
Soilage:  Nothing obvious from photos.

   Sold for 26.00 GBP, 4 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/mn6g6ap Antique Maltese handmade lace lovely very long scarf / narrow stole
Size:  8.5″ to 10″ x 90″
Starting Price: 39.99 GBP
Auction ends: Jan 20, 2014 08:18:16 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller discover4, London, United Kingdom
Comments: A narrow guipure scarf, which doesn’t look like a typically Maltese design. I’m thinking it could be French or German. The thread has a linen look. I call these laces ‘indeterminate guipures’, and we definitely need more information about them.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Seller cites a few very minor pulls
Soilage:  Looks clean from the photos.

   No bids.

http://tinyurl.com/mp4n8fb Antique Valenciennes de Ghent lace very lovely collar……collector
Size:  13″ neckline, ~2″ wide
Starting Price: 39.99 GBP
Auction ends: Jan 20, 2014 09:44:13 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller discover4, London, United Kingdom
Comments: A small collar of pieced Valenciennes, sometimes called Valenciennes de Gand. The square mesh is worked around the motifs, and is normally a 3-thread plait. Not enough fine closeups to tell exactly here. There are also a few picoted brides – unusual. Note the half-stitch shading in the leaves along the neckline. Mid 19th c.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: One area of separation in the fillings in an outer flower
Soilage:  Looks clean from the photos.

   Sold for 97.00 GBP, 4 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/ldevqcn Blonde de Caen Soie aux Fuseaux 19éme Fait Main 60cm x 31cm Silk Bobbin Lace
Size:  12.2″ x 23.6″
Starting Price: 45.00 EUR
Auction ends: Jan 20, 2014 11:03:20 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller sirjle, Paris, France
Comments: A border section of Blonde de Caen. Typical large flower designs with extensive honeycomb fillings, also half-stitch relief.  An impressive looking piece, wish there were more.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: Probably cut both ends, and can’t tell the condition of the foot edge.
Damage: One small hole in the mesh.
Soilage:  Looks clean from the photos.

   No bids.

http://tinyurl.com/lqp2dh4 Grand Châle Carré Fichu Arlésienne Dentelle Tulle Brodé 19èm Limerick lace Shawl
Size:  49.2″ square
Starting Price: 135.00 EUR
Auction ends: Jan 20, 2014 11:05:12 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller sirjle, Paris, France
Comments: A square shawl or veil of tambour embroidery on machine net. The embroidery is needle-run, which could be Irish limerick or perhaps Lierre. Excellent design with heavy borders, almost in the style of Blonde de Caen. Small flowers used as esprit in the center ground.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: A few  pinholes in the machine tulle.
Soilage:  3 areas of small localized orange spots.

   Sold for 135.00 EUR, 1 bidder.

http://tinyurl.com/mg5w29m Grand Châle Carré Dentelle Chantilly + Volant Identique Fichu Arlésienne 19ème
Size:  59.8″ x 62.5″, flounce alone 19.3″ x 167.3″, square, 41.7″ x 43.3″
Starting Price: 145.00 EUR
Auction ends: Jan 20, 2014 11:07:52 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller sirjle, Paris, France
Comments: I don’t know if this is handmade Chantilly, the photos aren’t close enough. I suspect not. But the form was so interesting that I thought I’d include it today. The deep gathered flounce reminds me of Spanish mantillas, and if you fold the square part into a triangle, it makes a nice shawl. Good romantic design in the lace.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: Assembled.
Damage: One join in the flounce. Lace looks intact, but would need closeups to fully evaluate.
Soilage:  Seller says one area in a corner of the square part is slightly lighter – not sure what that means.

   No bids.

http://tinyurl.com/m6c585z A Wonderful Long Length of Antique Point De Brussels Lace
Size:  20 cm x 180 cm
Starting Price: 72.00 GBP
Auction ends: Jan 20, 2014 12:01:29 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller winterwonderlandfairy, London, United Kingdom
Comments: A border of Brussels Duchesse with raised petal roses in the Point de Gaze inserts. Standard Duchesse bobbinlace motifs with irregular brides. Minimal raised work, almost a Bruges look.  Good typical design and technique.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: One end looks cut, can’t see the other end.
Damage: Looks like there might be the occasional pinholes in the Pt de G mesh – very minor.
Soilage:  It has a bit of a pulled look that might indicate a previous wash.

   Sold for 78.09 GBP, 3 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/m58h5ro A stunning Irish Crochet Victorian Collar
Size:  36 cm neckline, 19 cm deep
Starting Price: 22.00 GBP
Auction ends: Jan 20, 2014 12:15:57 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller winterwonderlandfairy, London, United Kingdom
Comments: A deep Irish Crochet collar. Wish there were some detailed closeups. The motifs are rather narrow construction, tightly woven. Occasional raised ring for relief, especially in the centers of shamrocks.  Looks quite busy overall, and I can’t tell much about the mesh.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Nothing obvious from the photos
Soilage:  Looks clean from the photos.

   No bids.

http://tinyurl.com/mb6n2pj A Beautiful Antique Brussels Point de Gaze Lappet
Size:  14 cm max x 136 cm
Starting Price: 22.00 GBP
Auction ends: Jan 20, 2014 12:25:55 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller winterwonderlandfairy, London, United Kingdom
Comments: A narrow scarf of Brussels bobbinlace application on machine net.  Standard romantic design of flowers and leaves, with good esprits in the mesh.  A nice typical example.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: A few small holes in tulle and some fillings.
Soilage:  Looks clean from the photos.

   Sold for 91.00 GBP, 3 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/myda5h8 Vintage Handmade Bucks Point Buckinghamshire Lace Collar Trim Mayflower Filling
Size:  40″ neckline, 2″ to 7″ wide
Starting Price: $196.00, $256.00 Buy-it-Now
Auction ends: Jan 20, 2014 14:54:19 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller twist-in-time, Pottstown, Pennsylvania, United States
Comments: A collar of Bucks point bobbinlace – a good example of a shaped point ground piece.  I don’t see any mayflower fillings, just honeycomb and a vertical bar and tally filling, diagrammed by Nottingham in “The Technique of Bucks Point Lace” in figure 216. An interesting design, nicely worked.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Nothing obvious from photos.
Soilage:  Seller cites a few light tan marks.

   Sold for $196.00, 1 bidder.

http://tinyurl.com/lm295sl HM Antique BRUSSELS POINT DE GAZE LACE WEDDING HANDKERCHIEF HANKY
Size:  13.5″ square
Starting Price: $349.99 Buy-it-Now or Make Offer
Auction ends: Jan 22, 2014 17:10 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller adtjmd, United States
Comments: A Duchesse de Bruxelles handkerchief, no raised work in the Point de Gaze inserts. Fairly elaborate design – and I like the lighter oval leaves around the outside. Gives the hole thing a feeling of relief.  Nicely shaped cloth with good attachments to the lace. A few decorative needlelace ‘mode’ fillings in the corners next to the cloth.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Nothing obvious from photos except a few frayed threads in the brides – minor.
Soilage:  Seller cites a ‘warm golden ecru’ color, age discoloration and some light spots.

   Unsold as of 1/24/2014 8:43 AM CST.

http://tinyurl.com/mbh2fzn Beautiful Antique Handmade Lace and M.O.P. Fan-Fine Sticks
Size:  9.75″ long
Starting Price: 9.99 GBP
Auction ends: Jan 23, 2014 12:02:00 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller baraud, Newton Abbot, United States
Comments: A Point de Gaze fan with elaborately carved and decorated Mother of Pearl (likely Abalone) sticks.  The lace is flat – no raised work and only a few needlelace fillings. The sticks seem more elaborate than the lace.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Despite the staining, the lace, and from what I can see the mesh looks intact.
Soilage:  Dark stains on the lace.  One guard stick has a bad repair.

   Sold for 128.95 GBP, 10 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/kyzq3sc Vintage Lace (~1880): Brussels bobbinlace Handkerchief , 16.1″ x 16.6″
Size:  16.1″ x 16.6″
Starting Price: $0.99
Auction ends: Jan 23, 2014 13:10:07 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller den232, West Newton, Massachusetts, United States
Comments: I have been helping this seller with his lace descriptions.
A Brussels bobbinlace handkerchief applique on machine net, typically fairly large size for this lace.  Good romantic design, fairly small motifs, a little loosely worked.  But a nice overall presence.
Provenance:  From the collection of the seller’s mother, Zena Garrett.
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: A few  pinholes in the machine tulle.  Might be a few tiny repairs to the net.
Soilage:  Dark stains on the lace extending into the center cloth.

   Sold for $142.50, 10 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/k39nkt4 Vintage Lace (19c): Irish copy of Venetian Coraline 4.6″ x 88″
Size:  4.6″ x 88:
Starting Price: $0.99
Auction ends: Jan 23, 2014 13:29:37 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller den232, West Newton, Massachusetts, United States
Comments: Look at the detailed photos here, you will see that the motifs are all outlined with twisted buttonhole stitch. That wasn’t done in early coraline. And the raised motifs look a little ad hoc, and the lower edge is a bit too simple. I’m going with a 19th century copy, probably Irish.  I’m also thinking the top might be cut – there are a few brides just going off into nowhere. Still, it’s nicely worked, a large piece, and the 19th c copies don’t survive all that well.
Provenance:  From the collection of the seller’s mother, Zena Garrett.
Condition:
Modifications: Probably re-cut.
Damage: A few  loose brides and frayed threads, but basically intact.
Soilage:  Overall discoloration, no stains that I can see.

   Sold for $129.10, 8 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/n55vzsu Vintage Lace (~1680): Original Venetian Coraline 7.2″ x 87″
Size:  7.2″ x 87:
Starting Price: $0.99
Auction ends: Jan 23, 2014 13:42:09 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller den232, West Newton, Massachusetts, United States
Comments: A border of coraline, probably 17th c. I’m thinking Italian because of the rather random wandering of the design. Although the roughly hexagonal brides might hint at French influence. There does seem to be a change of scale about 1/3 of the way from the top border, although I don’t see any obvious reworking.  Note also the knotted stitch used as fillings – this is something you see a lot in early English needlelace. Interesting piece, fairly wide and a good collectible length. These laces are always a bit of a puzzle.
Provenance:  From the collection of the seller’s mother, Zena Garrett.
Condition:
Modifications: cut both ends.
Damage: A few frayed threads, but basically intact.
Soilage:  Nothing obvious from the photos.

   Sold for $209.50, 10 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/my53wfu Vintage Lace (~1760): Brussels Bobbinlace with Droschel Ground. 62″. Highly Collectible.
Size:  3.5″ x ~62″
Starting Price: $0.99
Auction ends: Jan 23, 2014 14:18:09 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller den232, West Newton, Massachusetts, United States
Comments: A border of Brussels bobbinlace with droschel ground. There’s always a chance things like this are English, but it can be a very hard call. Typical later Louis XV design, which is starting to open up into a lighter field. My instinct says Belgian – probably.
Provenance:  From the collection of the seller’s mother, Zena Garrett.
Condition:
Modifications: Both ends look cut, but secured.  Picoted edge is a later addition.
Damage: Some pulled threads in the ground, perhaps one small repair in the mesh.
Soilage:  A few creased wrinkles, but the color looks good from the photos.

   Sold for $153.50, 7 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/kwmy3s2 Vintage Lace (~1850): Alençon (Alencon) Needlelace, 3.5″ x 53″
Size:  3.5″ x 53″
Starting Price: $0.99
Auction ends: Jan 23, 2014 14:23:55 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller den232, West Newton, Massachusetts, United States
Comments: A border of Alençon with a good mid 19th c design. Réseau fin mesh with some interesting patterned clothwork (rempli). The large spots used as esprits are mirrored in the ribbon-like structure at the bottom. Zigzag, picoted rings, and some grid fillings.  The work is quite precise and clean, and the horsehair remains in most of the picots along the edge.
Provenance:  From the collection of the seller’s mother, Zena Garrett.
Condition:
Modifications: One end secured, the other cut with some tearing.
Damage: Aside from the damage on the cut end, it looks in very good shape.
Soilage:  Maybe a bit on a cream colored side, and I see one faint red spot. Very minor.

   Sold for $311.00, 8 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/lxprlnn Beautiful Irish Crochet antique lace collar child’s doll
Size:  18.5″ neckline, 3.5″ deep
Starting Price: $29.99
Auction ends: Jan 23, 2014 15:49:57 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller nedbraden1972, Spokane, Washington, United States
Comments: This isn’t the first time we’ve seen an Irish Crochet collar from this seller. This one is nicely done, tight work with raised rings in motif centers. Can’t tell how the picots are done.  A nice, small example.
Provenance:  None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Nothing obvious from the photos.
Soilage:  Looks clean.

   No bids.

http://tinyurl.com/kc2sksu ANTIQUE VINTAGE HANDMADE RUSSIAN TEXTILE WITH COAT OF ARMS, LACE, EMBROIDERY
Size:  23″ x 100″ – not sure if that includes the 5″ deep lace.
Starting Price: $450.00
Auction ends: Jan 23, 2014 19:12:19 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller yellow_daisy, Carlisle, Massachusetts, United States
Comments: You see colored bobbinlace and think Eastern European.  I looked in some of my books for this seller, and thought it might be Russian, perhaps from Tver province. These towels are not uncommon objects, but more described in embroidery books. Unfortunately my resources are at an end here.  I definitely need to go to Russia and find out more!
Provenance:  None cited.
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Nothing obvious from the photos.
Soilage:  Looks very clean.

   Sold for $450.00, 1 bidder.

http://tinyurl.com/ktv6yja ANTIQUE VINTAGE HANDMADE MID 18th CENTURY BELGIUM NEEDLE LACE
Size:  3″ x 10 feet
Starting Price: $795.00
Auction ends: Jan 17, 2014 18:50:09 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller yellow_daisy, Carlisle, Massachusetts, United States
Comments: This is only the 4th Special Ebay Alert I’ve ever done. In the interest of full disclosure I have been advising this seller on her laces, and I first learned about this piece back in April. I’ve been eagerly waiting for it to come up for sale (fair warning).
As a class, laces like this today are known as ‘flat-grounded needlelaces’, and were made in several countries in the early 18th c. The Flemish examples are considered by some (and I will not disagree) as the finest examples of lace ever made. The extremely fine thread, innovative design and superb technique elevates this type of lace far above the norm. In this particular piece the design has a lot of life, and the decorative clothwork is varied and beautifully done. The mesh has a characteristic streaked look due to the unevenness of the hand-spun thread, and is often commented on by authors. Note also the very typical star-like decorative fillings. Give full credit to Flemish lacemakers for this amazing product, and learn more by studying the great Belgian researchers like Mme. Lucie Paulis.
This lace isn’t quite as rare on the market as some people would like to think, and in the past few months several examples have appeared on Ebay.  But you are going to wait a long time to see something of this quality again.  The length and condition are also extraordinary.
Provenance:  From a very fine old New England lace collection.
Condition:
Modifications: One end finished with an engrelure, maybe cut. Can’t tell if the other end is cut.  One fine seam near the center – my only complaint.
Jan 13th – Seller indicates there’s probably another fine seam, difficult to detect. Seller is trying to update the listing to describe this.
Damage: A few minor pinholes.
Soilage:  Ivory color

         Sold for $3,316.99, 6 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/lwegrfn Stunning antique Victorian handmade Irish crochet lace shoulder collar capelet
Size:  40 cm deep x 112 cm long.
Starting Price: 82.00 GBP
Auction ends: Jan 12, 2014 09:40:07 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller linskapet, Kirkcudbright, Dumfries & Galloway DG6 4UU, United Kingdom
Comments: A small Irish Crochet cape. The design has many elements of early ‘imitation guipure’ crochet, with small motifs, the ‘fan-like’ connecting structures, and crocheted loop picots.  No sign of the horseshoe motif which is often found in this kind of lace. It is often made in large textile-like structures.
Provenance:  From a collection of family lace.
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: One repair to the back of the neck.
Soilage:  Looks clean from the photos.

   Sold for 204.00 GBP, 4 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/lqorhyx Point de Paris bobbin lace border
Size:  4.75″ x 15 feet 6″
Starting Price: 45.00 GBP
Auction ends: Jan 12, 2014 10:26:14 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller 999dogtoby, Bath, United Kingdom
Comments: A  long Point de Paris border with straight lower edge.  It has a delicate floral design with some areas of point ground used as fillings.  Somewhat lighter in appearance than most Point de Paris.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: Cut on one end, can’t see the other.
Damage: Seller shows a few small holes in the photos, and mentions a few mends, but I don’t know if these are localized or extend all the way along the piece.
Soilage:  Looks clean from the photos.

   Sold for 45.00 GBP, 1 bidder.

http://tinyurl.com/mfd9cuf BEAUTIFUL LARGE ANTIQUE 19th C BELGIAN DUCHESSE BOBBIN LACE & CATTLE BONE FAN~
Size:  13.75″ long, 26″ wide
Starting Price: $150.00 Buy-it-Now
Auction ends: Jan 12, 2014 12:28 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller fiona6704, Gateshead, United Kingdom
Comments: This large Duchesse fan apparently comes with a box. No needlelace that I can see, so this is more the Duchesse de Bruges style. A little raised work in some motifs, overall they are quite typical of Duchesse.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Nothing obvious from photos.
Soilage:  A few small stains, looks like an overall cream color. Guard stick repaired.

   Unsold as of 1/13/2014, 12:05 PM MST.

http://tinyurl.com/m4363pl EXCEPTIONAL VINTAGE ANTIQUE IRISH CROCHET LARGE TABLE ROUND CLOTH DOILIE S34
Size:  21″ diameter
Starting Price: $75.00
Auction ends: Jan 12, 2014 15:35:29 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller textilemagic, Washington, District Of Columbia, United States
Comments: A large round Irish table ornament. Heavy motifs, tightly worked around the outside, Rose of Sharon pattern inside – a nice contrast between the two textures. Chain stitch picot loops.  Some good raised work in the heavier motifs.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Seller cites one small break. I do see the occasional loose thread which might indicate a repair, see third photo.
Soilage:  Looks clean from the photos

   No bids.

http://tinyurl.com/ltkmpvw Gorgeous Antique Net Lace Handkerchief, Bridal, Excellent
Size:  14″ square
Starting Price: $49.00
Auction ends: Jan 12, 2014 18:12:29 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller quiltlover, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Comments: An embroidered net handkerchief, needlerun stitch which could indicate Ireland or Lierre.  The work is quite delicate, good design.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: None
Damage: Nothing obvious from photos.
Soilage:  Light ecru color, faint storage fold lines in the center cloth.

   Sold for $71.00, 4 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/lalofaf ANTIQUE HAND FAN BRUSSELS POINT DE GAZE LACE & SUPERB CARVED MOP FRAME FRENCH
Size:  17.75″ wide, 9-7/8″ tall
Starting Price: $9.99
Auction ends: Jan 12, 2014 18:57:26 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller eclectic_mix4u, Midlothian, Virginia, United States
Comments: A later 19th century Point de Gaze fan with carved Mother of Pearl sticks (probably Abalone). Quite an elaborate piece – no raised work in the lace, but plenty of good decorative ‘mode’ fillings often used over large areas.  Good design, although the symmetry of the center motifs is a bit off with respect to the rest of the piece – I think it has something to do with the way the little extra piece that goes behind the guard stick on the right side is done. Wish there were a closeup of this area.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: none
Damage: One damaged rib. The Point de Gaze mesh looks in good condition.
Soilage:  A few faint spots in the lace, minor.

   Sold for $330.01, 7 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/mbknxsc Antique Honiton handmade bobbin lace lovely Bodice insert
Size:  7″ x 14.75″
Starting Price: 39.99 GBP
Auction ends: Jan 14, 2014 08:28:40 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller discover4, London, United Kingdom
Comments: A triangular dress insert of Honiton. The neckedge matches the motifs along the sides of the piece, but it does look almost like a separate neckpiece attachment.  The design is a bit chaotic and has a rough symmetry in the upper part. Roses, thistles, perhaps a cornucopia.  Good work with some interesting raised work, but overall rather snail/slugs style. Plaited picoted irregular brides.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: none
Damage: A few minor pulls
Soilage:  Looks clean from the photos.

   No bids.

http://tinyurl.com/mambzp8 Antique Brussels bobbin lace handmade lovely Lappet
Size:  2.5″ to 1″ x 44″
Starting Price: 29.99 GBP
Auction ends: Jan 15, 2014 08:30:26 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller discover4, London, United Kingdom
Comments: A lappet scarf of Duchesse de Bruges.  Fairly simple design and note the large areas of fillings with some needle-made accents.  I like the way the motifs cascade down the narrow parts widening out in the endpieces.  A middle market product.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: none
Damage: Nothing obvious from the photos.
Soilage:  Looks clean from the photos.

   Sold for 31.00 GBP, 2 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/mld4gx8 Length of Beautiful Antique Point de Gaze Needlepoint Lace
Size: 3″ x 32.5″
Starting Price: 9.99 GBP
Auction ends: Jan 15, 2014 10:32:25 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller isohex, Tyne-Wear, United Kingdom
Comments: A narrow border of Point de Gaze. No raised work in the roses, and there are some good decorative ‘mode fillings’. I like the little sprays of rings in the upper ground. A good, typical example.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: Cut both ends.
Damage: Some pinholes in the mesh.
Soilage:  Looks clean from the photos.

  Sold for 77.00 GBP, 7 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/lovbkgp Antique Binche handmade early lace 2 small pieces……study….collector
Size: 1.5″ x 8.25″ and 1.75″ x 9.75″
Starting Price: 19.99 GBP
Auction ends: Jan 16, 2014 10:32:25 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller discover4, London, United Kingdom
Comments: Two fragments of 18th century Valenciennes, both quite interesting. Probably around 1730-40.  The top piece has an unusual ‘kat stitch’ ground, and this would be a very early use of that stitch. The bottom one has cinq-trou ground. Both have scattered snowflake variation fillings. Valenciennes experimented with a lot of different grounds around this time. The ‘line drawing’ effect on whole and half stitch is well done, just wish there were more.  One of my favorite laces.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: cut from longer lengths
Damage: Both look in excellent condition for their age.
Soilage:  Look clean from the photos.

   Sold for 82.00 GBP, 4 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/l39lhqj EVENTAIL 19è DENTELLE AIGUILLE BRUXELLES 19thC NEEDLE LACE fan Fächer ventaglio
Size: 24 cm long
Starting Price: 1.00 EUR
Auction ends: Jan 16, 2014 11:31:18 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller merveillesdeparis, Paris, France
Comments: A Point de Gaze fan with blonde ribs.  No raised work in the lace, which is delicately designed and worked. A rather naturalistic design with minimal but effective use of decorative ‘modes’.  A higher end market product.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: none
Damage: One damaged rib.  Seller says that the ribs are not positioned correctly so the fan doesn’t fold right.
Soilage:  Look very clean

   Sold for 135.00 GBP, 6 bidders.

http://tinyurl.com/ly3fsoo GRAND EVENTAIL 19è NACRE DENTELLE FUSEAU NEEDLE LACE fan Fächer ventaglio
Size: 35 cm long
Starting Price: 1.00 EUR
Auction ends: Jan 16, 2014 11:31:18 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller merveillesdeparis, Paris, France
Comments: A fan of Brussels bobbinlace applique on machine net. Needlelace fillings used as accents. A delicate design, note the elaborate flower basket in the center.  Rather elaborately decorated Mother of Pearl (abalone) sticks.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: none
Damage: One rib restored.  The machine tulle looks in good shape.
Soilage:  Some staining in the lace.

   No bids.

http://tinyurl.com/kgoremp Beautiful Antique Handmade Lace Flounce-Point de Gaze
Size: 10″ x 84″
Starting Price: 9.99 GBP
Auction ends: Jan 16, 2014 12:04:55 PST
Offered by: Ebay seller baraud, Newton Abbot, United Kingdom
Comments: A reasonably wide, long border of Point de Gaze with raised petal roses (sometimes doubled). Note the openwork ‘windows in the raised petals – sign of a better manufacturer.  Typical romantic 2nd Empire design which fills the space well. Special emphasis on the esprits with little tendrils in the upper ground. Decorative ‘mode’ fillings are OK, but not overly elaborate. Technique is excellent.
Provenance:  None cited
Condition:
Modifications: One edge might be cut, the other looks terminated as you might expect in a needlelace.
Damage: Occasional pinhole in the mesh, no serious damage evident from the photos.
Soilage:  Cream color.

   Sold for 265.00 GBP, 8 bidders.