Handkerchief

Emma Radford

second half 19th century · Linen and cotton, bobbin lace (Honiton) · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Emma Radford was a prize-winning lacemaker and designer in her native Devon. Devonshire bobbin lace, commonly known as Honiton lace, comprised individual motifs that were later joined together. Queen Victoria chose Honiton lace for her wedding ensemble in 1840, leading to a boom in its popularity in the mid-nineteenth century. Philanthropists of the period were intent on increasing sales of handmade lace to alleviate the poverty of lacemakers. This movement coincided with the development of a new and uniquely English style of lace that incorporated motifs of highly naturalistic flowers, birds, and insects. The techniques developed to craft three-dimensional effects such as those seen in this piece, sometimes called raised work, were a specialty of Honiton lace workers.

Artist

Emma Radford

Date

second half 19th century

Medium

Linen and cotton, bobbin lace (Honiton)

Culture

British, Devon, Honiton

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Purchase by subscription, 1909