Lace

Unknown

fourth quarter 17th century · linen · Costume Institute

This is an exquisitely crafted needle lace cravat end. Lace was often utilized as neckwear in the 17th and 18th centuries for aesthetic purposes and to emphasize the fine quality the wearer could afford. This particular piece is finely detailed with mirror-image motifs which take no identifiable shape but are nevertheless intriguing. The addition of the raised work adds a sense of depth and texture to already arresting surface effect.

Artist

Unknown

Date

fourth quarter 17th century

Medium

linen

Culture

French

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Robert B. Woodward, 1915