LACE, BOBBIN, VALENCIENNE, EDGING

French Valenciennes Bobbin Lace Edging with Floral Motifs, 19th Century

This fine French Valenciennes bobbin lace edging, handmade in the 19th century, showcases the precision and elegance that made this lace internationally prized. Characterised by a completely flat structure, the lace features a diamond-shaped mesh plaited on all four sides. The closely woven floral clothwork motifs are outlined and detailed with tiny holes, a hallmark of authentic Valenciennes design.

This lace would have been made with up to 800 bobbins to produce just 10 cm of width — with estimates suggesting it could take two hours to complete a single square centimetre. Its smoothness and durability made it ideal for delicate garments such as fine underwear, baby clothes, and christening wear, despite its high cost.

Valenciennes lace originated in northern France, once part of Flanders, a hub of lace production from the 16th century onward. The city lent its name to a style known for its seamless integration of ground and motif. Though lacemaking in Valenciennes ceased after the French Revolution, production continued in Belgian centres through the 19th century, preserving this intricate and highly skilled tradition.

This narrow edging is a refined example of the craftsmanship that once defined European luxury textiles.