LaceNews

This auction is now history, however you can still find the catalog on Ebay occasionally (e.g., http://tinyurl.com/2ctcfc4). Hôtel Drouot is a large Paris auction house representing numerous firms. It has had major lace auctions in the past, and the June 9th auction was particularly important due to the complete sale of the collection of Claudine Giraud-Guigou. Not since 2002 has a collection of such quality become available. The sale also included items left over from various offerings of the Musee d’Argentan collection.

I bring this up because some of the pieces listed in the June 9th catalog are now appearing on lace dealer’s web sites.  In particular, look at Joachim and Betty Mendes site at  http://www.mendes.co.uk/index.html.  Near the bottom of Antique Lace (page one) is Stock no. ps.2, described as:

A beautiful early 17th century linen cover (possibly Italian) and made in Punto in Aria and Reticella. Items like these are very rare do not often come into  the open market. It measures: 200 x 115cms. Condition: minor small faults. Price: £2600 GBP

This is directly from the June 9th sale, item 183 in the catalog. The cataloger mentions the early origin but also opens the possibility that it might be from the Jesurum firm at the beginning of the 20th century.  I have great respect for the Mendes’ expertise, and perhaps on seeing the piece closeup, the attribution has become clear. Whatever the origin, it is a splendid piece.

The serious lace collector should be well familiar with recent auction offerings to get as thoroughly educated as possible.  Other pieces from the June 9th auction are sure to show up on other dealer’s sites in the near future.