NEEDLELACE, MATS

The place mats are rectangular in shape. The centre is fine linen 85mm x 60mm with embroidery and cutwork in floral sprays and scrolls worked in satin stitch.

A needle lace cotton edging, 50mm deep, emulates reticella lace designs with a great variety of stitches. The long sides have 2 diamond motifs, 2 lady motifs, and 3 Maltese Cross motifs. Maltese Cross is worked in single Brussels stitch. (Earnshaw 891 called single Brussels or Tulle stitch) Short sides have 2 diamond and 2 Maltese Cross motifs. Between each side of the cross 3 petalled bullion flowers stand up. In part c these are larger and fluffier than the other 2 parts.

The corner motifs have acorns worked in pea stitch which is the commonest ground in needle lace – sometimes called cloth or linen stitch. (See diagram no 908 in Earnshaw p.563 and in De Dillmont = nineteenth lace stitch)

Each motif is surrounded by a band of small circles.

The edge has pointed scallops with woven leaves = double buttonhole bars – Fig 924 Dillmont.

These pieces are part of a set of 6 and each has slightly different characteristics. Thus, it would appear that they are worked by different persons as a commercial venture. It is possible that the centres were plain linen and were worked by Vere’s grandmother or that the lace rectangles were purchased and attached to the linen.