LIMERICK, COLLAR

A very fine hand embroidered lady’s Limerick lace collar from Ireland, late 19th century.

Intricate floral design, outlined with running stitch and filled with variety of needlerun patterns.

Limerick lace, a form of hand embroidery on machine made net, is not a ‘true lace’ as it is hand stitching on fabric and not made entirely with just thread. Patterns are traced by tambour or chain stitch and then filled by a variety of runners (darning patterns). Originated in Limerick, Ireland in 1843. Limerick lace rarely stitched today.