I can see the yellowing as being a pricier accoutrement, for instance saffron (to tint) would be expensive, and thus elevate status. It sounds like some of this was implemented during a time when import of foreign exotic things was a priority. Thus more and more embellishments not only to lace but all aspects of life, as the bar was raised for exceptional indulgence, etc. So the yellow would indicate something extra or more added, not as accessible to a "lesser" person, lace, etc. The Puritan thing is always associated with white (in the US), and whitest white. They wore white cloth plain collars, the antithesis of indulgence, and simplicity in decor, etc. which was the implied moral counter to arrogance and waste. With society falling out of favored indulgence, perhaps tied in part to the French Revolution and other empires power changing as the focus went more toward democracy, and fairness to all (including the poor that were starving as the rich used items for survival as casual indulgence for upper class, which has already been stated here). With a sense of true justice, the lacemaker will no longer suffer in terms of almost slavery to another's casual regard to, say, a collar that took months, but was worn once, etc. Perhaps cart before horse, in that the lace choices (whether tinted, or lesser or no lace over time) changed, but the flavor of social consciousness could factor into all of this, if you can see what I am trying to say. Interesting how patterns repeat themselves. We have commonly indulged ourselves since the 80's, and now are re-evaluating. Needlework is embraced vs. being almost shunned before. I was reading yesterday that someone came from Estonia to Canada, and her mother knit an Estonian sweater for a woman, just to get enough sugar to bake her child a birthday cake. The disparity in even exchange is disheartening to say the least. That brings up another thing, of How little people value needlework when so much of it is (or can be) true artistry; either by endurance and repetition, or by stellar design and technique/perfection. Best,Susan Reishus
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