Susan The story we are told is that the style called Bedfordshire was a result of an international fair in the mid 19th century, which exhibited Maltese lace. Supposedly, Bedfordshire-Maltese was an attempt to design laces using similar techniques and ideas, and supposedly it would be faster to make than Bucks point. So it is definitely 19th century in origin. Even if the story is not quite right, I see no reason to think it is older. Cluny was also a supposedly 19 th c invention, based on Genoese laces in the Cluny museum. I have seen many Genoese laces at the Art Institute of Chicago. If I recall they date from the 1600s, mostly. One huge problem with English laces is that we don't have a clear picture of what was being made before 1800 -- what the style was, what the techniques were. There are some museum examples of LePompe type laces on clothing (a jacket particularly), but I don't remember the exact piece, museum or date. Whether there is a straight line between LePompe braided/plaited laces In England and Bedfordshire lace of the 19th century, I don't know. I have never seen any intermediate style, or anything showing gradual development. This is one of those points where somebody could figure this out and write a PhD thesis in art history. (Not me. I have had enough of academe.) Lorelei
From: owner-l...@arachne.com [mailto:owner-l...@arachne.com] On Behalf Of Susan Subject: [lace] Bedfordshire lace I ran into a disagreement among lace resources regarding Bedfordshire. To my eye, all resources are equally credible but there is a three century difference of opinion. Should Bedfordshire be considered 16th or 19th century? Sincerely, Susan Hottle USA - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
