Lace Making Collection

The Lace Maker, 1662. Artist: Gaspar Netscher
The Lace Maker, 1662. Painting held at The Wallace Collection, London. From The Connoisseur Volume XLIII. [The Connoisseur Ltd. London, 1915]

Close-up of hands and bobbins for lace making at Le Puy in the Auvergne, France, Europe

France, Auvergne Region, Haute-Loire Department. Since the 15th Century, Le Puy en Velay has been the historic center of handmade lacemaking in France

Elderly woman making lace in an open doorway
An elderly woman making lace in the open doorway of her home, with a large number of bobbins on display. Date: 20th century

The Lace Centre (Kantcentrum), Bruges, Belgium, Europe

The Lace Maker, c1664. Artist: Jan Vermeer
The Lace Maker, c1664. The woman is making pillow lace which uses a strip of parchment on which the pattern has been pricked out

Lace Makers
1908: Pupils in their white pinafores and hats at Lois Weedens school in North Hampshire in an outdoor lace-making class. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Antwerp Exhibition
A selection of handmade laces are shown by a local manufacturer at the Antwerp Exhibition, (Exposition Internationale Coloniale), Belgium

The sleeping lace worker, 1795-1873. Creator: Ignatius van Regemorter
The sleeping lace worker, 1795-1873. Woman dozing as a cat tangles the threads of her lace work. Design for a print

Breakfast, 1640-1654. Creator: Karel Slabbaert
Breakfast, 1640-1654. Note lace-making equipment on chair at left

Interior with Lace-Worker and a Visitor, 1650-1668. Creator: Gerritsz Quiringh van Brekelenkam
Interior with Lace-Worker and a Visitor, 1650-1668. Other Title(s): Reading Aloud

An Allegory of the Wise and the Foolish Virgins, 1570. Creator: Hans Ewouts
An Allegory of the Wise and the Foolish Virgins, 1570. The Wise Virgins save the oil for their lamps, while the Foolish Virgins waste it

'Lacemaking"; after William H Weatherhead, R.I. 1890. Creator: Unknown
'Lacemaking"; after William H Weatherhead, R.I. 1890. From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper", Volume 42. July to December, 1890

Sketch for the salle des fêtes in the Hôtel de Ville, Paris...lace, between 1889 and 1893. Creator: Jean Joseph Weerts
Sketch for the salle des fetes in the Hotel de Ville, Paris : Valenciennes lace, between 1889 and 1893. (Esquisse pour la salle des fetes de l'Hotel de Ville de Paris)

Two Panels from a Skirt, Philippines, c. 1830. Creator: Unknown
Two Panels from a Skirt, Philippines, c. 1830

Apron, Germany, 1775/1825. Creator: Unknown
Apron, Germany, 1775/1825

Bonnet, c. 1937. Creator: Doris Beer
Bonnet, c. 1937

Views and crafts of Buckinghamshire, Womens Institute banner design, 1937, (1943). Page painted by a member of a Buckinghamshire Womens Institute

Holly Mount Orphanage, Tottington, Lancashire
Girls work at lace-making and embroidery at the Holly Mount Orphanage / School for Roman Catholic girls at Tottington, near Bury, Lancashire

Lace Making in an Irish Cottage, 1886. Creator: Marianne Stokes
Lace Making in an Irish Cottage, 1886. From " The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper Volume 33. January to June, 1886"

Half Shawl, England, 1860s. Creator: Unknown
Half Shawl, England, 1860s

Collar, England, 1875 / 1900. Creator: Unknown
Collar, England, 1875/1900

Handkerchief, England, 1850 / 75. Creator: Unknown
Handkerchief, England, 1850/75

Collar and Two Cuffs, England, 1850 / 75. Creator: Unknown
Collar and Two Cuffs, England, 1850/75

Parasol Cover, England, 1870s. Creator: Unknown
Parasol Cover, England, 1870s

Skirt from a Court Gown, France, 1805-15. Creator: Unknown
Skirt from a Court Gown, France, 1805-15

Braid, France, 1650 / 75. Creator: Unknown
Braid, France, 1650/75

Flounce, France, 1875 / 1900. Creator: Unknown
Flounce, France, 1875/1900

Border, France, 1875 / 1900 (based on a 17th century design). Creator: Unknown
Border, France, 1875/1900 (based on a 17th century design)

Half Shawl, France, Early 1860s. Creator: Unknown
Half Shawl, France, Early 1860s

Parasol, France, c. 1865 / 70. Creator: Gorham Manufacturing Company
Parasol, France, c.1865/70

Flounce, France, 1701 / 25. Creator: Unknown
Flounce, France, 1701/25

Two Fragments (Border), France, 1765 / 75. Creator: Unknown
Two Fragments (Border), France, 1765/75

Braid, France, Probably 1650 / 1700. Creator: Unknown
Braid, France, Probably 1650/1700

Fragment (Border), France, 1725 / 50. Creator: Unknown
Fragment (Border), France, 1725/50

Cap, France, 1850 / 1900. Creator: Unknown
Cap, France, 1850/1900

Sleeve Ruffle (Engageante) and Lappets (Joined), France, 1740s. Creator: Unknown
Sleeve Ruffle (Engageante) and Lappets (Joined), France, 1740s

Pair of Lappets (Joined), France, 1875 / 1900. Creator: Unknown
Pair of Lappets (Joined), France, 1875/1900

Border, France, 1725 / 75. Creator: Unknown
Border, France, 1725/75

Pair of Lappets, France, 1750s. Creator: Unknown
Pair of Lappets, France, 1750s

Flounce, France, c. 1700. Creator: Unknown
Flounce, France, c. 1700

Lappet, France, 1780s. Creator: Unknown
Lappet, France, 1780s

Panel, France, 1801 / 50. Creator: Unknown
Panel, France, 1801/50

Border, France, 1860s. Creator: Unknown
Border, France, 1860s

Fan, France, 19th century. Creator: Unknown
Fan, France, 19th century

Border, France, 1801 / 25. Creator: Unknown
Border, France, 1801/25

Border, France, 1780s / 90s. Creator: Unknown
Border, France, 1780s/90s

Chalice Cover, Europe, 1650 / 1700. Creator: Unknown
Chalice Cover, Europe, 1650/1700

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"Lace Making: A Timeless Craft of Intricate Beauty" In the quaint town of Le Puy in the Auvergne region of France, hands delicately weave a tapestry of tradition. Close-up shots reveal skilled artisans meticulously working with bobbins, creating exquisite lace that has captivated hearts for centuries. Since the 15th century, Le Puy-en-Velay has been synonymous with lace making, and its rich history is evident in every stitch. An elderly woman sits in an open doorway, her weathered hands gracefully maneuvering through intricate patterns as she breathes life into this ancient art form. Across Europe, from Bruges to Belgium, the Lace Centre (Kantcentrum) stands as a testament to the enduring allure of lace making. Here, visitors can witness firsthand the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into each delicate creation. Gaspar Netscher's masterpiece "The Lace Maker" transports us back to 1662 when lace makers were revered for their skill and precision. The painting immortalizes their dedication and passion for transforming mere threads into works of art. From France's Haute-Loire Department to England's Holly Mount Orphanage in Lancashire, lace making transcends borders and cultures. It unites communities like those showcased at Antwerp Exhibition or celebrated by Buckinghamshire's Women Institute banner design in 1937. Even Marianne Stokes' evocative painting "Lace Making in an Irish Cottage" captures not only the craft itself but also its intimate connection to home and heritage. In humble cottages across Ireland, generations have passed down this cherished skill from one nimble hand to another. A glimpse at an enchanting Half Shawl from England dating back to the 1860s reminds us that while fashion may change over time, true beauty endures forever. The unknown creator painstakingly weaves together threads of elegance and sophistication that continue to inspire awe even today. Lace making is more than just a craft.