Shawl

Unknown

1860–70 · linen · Costume Institute

Point de gaze lace produced in Belgium was highly valued in the second half of the 19th century. A signature characteristic is the two-dimensional rose motif which adds surface interest. Often lace pieces of this size combine handmade motifs with machine-made net grounds, but this is completely handmade. It would have been extremely expensive to produce, considering the sheer size of the piece, the density of the motifs and the time required to work it all by hand. It is a premier example of mid-19th century lace-making.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1860–70

Medium

linen

Culture

Belgian

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Helen W. Chase, 1963