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This Authentic 1920s Tea Dress 

is being donated to:

The AMERICAN AUTOIMMUNE RELATED DISEASES ASSOCIATION (AARDA) for their 17th Annual Spring Fund Raiser

"Return to Downton: An Afternoon Tea & Silent Auction

Where: THE WHITNEY, Detroit's iconic Romanesque Revival Mansion-Restaurant

Date and Time: May 20, 2017

12:30 - 3:30pm

Contact: aarda@aarda.org

 1920s Afternoon Tea Dress

Excellent Handmade Couture Design, perhaps a London designer of the time.

Rich Chocolate Velvet with Embossed Silk Blend Crepe and Velvet Bodice Top. Also, fully lined in Silk Blend Crepe, with the fashionable Dropped Waistline that fits loosely across the hips and brushes along the knees. This Dress also features a lightly gathered left-hip fastened by a Brass Buckle that allows an elegant 4/5 inch additional left-hip Waist Drop. Simply beautiful work with elegant Filigree Brass Buckles. MINT CONDITION!!!

Probably American size of Ladies 8/10

THE LACE MUSEUM purchased an exquisite Linen with Needlelace Tablecloth

 (below) that was purchased in Sicily and brought to Detroit somewhere around

 the 1920(s) by the local Detroit Italian family (above). This family worked in the 

Eastern Market in Detroit and had preserved many of the family linens 

over generations. In turn, the monetary value of this Tablecloth was 

donated to the Roman Catholic convent: Little Sisters of the Poor in Detroit.

 This lovely tablecloth is in mint condition, complete with dinner 

and luncheon napkins, and is on display at THE LACE MUSEUM.

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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