LACE, BLONDE, EDGING

Two similar edgings of Blonde bobbin lace, hand made in France between 1815 and 1890, probably closer to the earlier date. This lace, with an exceptionally fine ground, was named for the creamy colour of the untreated silk used to make this lace. The border of large fan shaped scallops has a slightly thicker thread giving wonderful contrast between the ground and the motifs. The net ground has scattered sprigs of a small flower and 2 leaves.

Centres of Blonde lace production were Chantilly, Caen and Bayeux.

It is a very soft lace and thus well suited to the gathered trimmings fashionable during the 19th century. Blonde lace was used by royalty and was worn in the portraits of the daughter of George IV, Princess Charlotte in 1817 and Queen Adelaide in 1830.

The lace is very fragile with holes in sections of the ground.