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9th CENTURY TABLE LINENS

Victorian and Edwardian Era Table Linens were an essential component of Household Dining. Most of the finest table linens were beautifully hand-made by extraordinary lace artists located in Italy - at schools such as the Florence, Burano, Chioggia-Mestre or Venice Lace Manufactory. The finest lace and linens were often purchased and brought to the United States, where the artistry of lace-making, as well as lace-making schools, were relatively nonexistent. (left photo).

NEW EXHIBIT FOR WINTER 2018:

I just returned from the MARCHE AUS PUCES DE SAINT-OUEN FLEA MARKET IN PARIS 

WITH NEW SENSATIONAL HANDMADE PARISIAN LACE DRAPERIES circa , 1900. (below)

A detailed Advertisement for The Florence Lace Manufactory Lazzari Moro & Co. Florence, Italy n.d. (late 19th century). This folded, oblong 5.75" x 3.75" opens to 11.5" to show the extensive lace artistry taking place during late 19th century Florence (below). (Archives of The Lace Museum Detroit).

In the 19th Century it was law in England that a Lace Merchant must be appointed as such by the Queen, and given a License to Merchant, Manufacture, and Import Foreign Lace, such as this one (above), dated 1838, and issued to the Lace Shoppe of one Joseph Wood. (Archives of The Lace Museum Detroit).

Hand-Made Italian Needle Lace, Tablecloth, probably 1900 (below).

Monogrammed Linen Napkins were used for each and every daily breakfast, lunch and dinner in wealthier households (below).

The Lace Museum Detroit is a mere 1000 square feet, but with tall ceilings and ongoing organization, as well as the nature of rotating exhibits, it is a sufficient space to carefully exhibit many pieces of Antique Lace, Linen, and Antique Clothing.

A Pine Flax Break, dated 1870, is one of the tools of Flax Processing. Later, after the Spinning stage is complete, the term flax linen is used, which eventually become Linen Thread (above)

Cantù Lace, similar to this fabulous framed piece below, is a Bobbin Lace that may have originated in Northern Italy.....It is often rich with scrolls and tendrils in the background. This piece offers an opulent and bold male figure - perhaps a Conquistador or Nobleman. The thread used is a relatively heavy oatmeal-hued Linen, circa 1900 (perhaps earlier) (below).

                                                                       The Museum holds rotating exhibits of Victorian and Edwardian Clothing.

Irish Linen, and Linen Thread is considered some of the very finest Linen in the world due, in large part, to the cool climate of Ireland that allows the finest Flax production. In the Victorian Era, Barbour's Thread was some of  the most well-know. (below).

Italian Lace artists in Florence produced the most exquisite an

 varied lace in the world. Not only did The Florence Lace 

Manufactory create Italian Lace, but French and English Lace

as well. (below).

English Lace-making Cookie-shape Pillow stuffed with Horse Hair in the process of designing Needle Lace Floral Medallions or Motifs, circa 1890 (above).

The Museum has available for purchase Antique/Vintage Clothing.

The Lace Museum, Detroit exhibits magnificent Victorian and Edwardian Era Table Linens, some of which are for sale.

The Lace Museum Detroit also has on exhibit a few very early sewing machines, such as this beautiful Willcox and Gibbs chainstitch sewing machine, circa 1890.

PHOTO GALLERY IN SEARCH OF LACE (below)

Mother and Daughter Mary and Elyse Salmon and colleagues Judy and Nancy traveling throughout Europe....IN SEARCH OF LACE....

Mother and Daughter, Mary and Elyse Salmon, and Judy Cogan.....American Women....IN SEARCH OF LACE

We traveled France, Holland, and precious Belgium this year 2018......watch for our upcoming articles in preparation for our book on the history and adventures IN SEARCH OF LACE 

PHOTO GALLERY IN SEARCH OF LACE (below)

Mother and Daughter Mary and Elyse Salmon and colleagues Judy and Nancy traveling throughout Europe....IN SEARCH OF LACE....

Paris, France; Brussels and Brugges, Belgium; Cantu and Milan, Italy; Valletta, Malta; Amsterdam...... 

(Calligraphy kindly provided by Belgian artist Calligrapher Yves Leterme, a professional calligrapher and lettering artist, ​living near the fair city of Bruges, Belgium).

The Lace Museum, Detroit: Proud Member of The International Organization of Lace, Inc., Great Lakes Lace Group Inc. and Kantcentrum Brugges, Belgium.

www.thelacemuseumllc.com        Curator: Mary Gen Salmon PH. 937. 681.7219  

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