RE: [lace] Lace in literature
Valenciennes lace in 1453? Oh dear, oh dear, whatever next! The date is really too early for lace of any sort, and besides the idea of lace as a trimming for a nightdress or underwear belongs to the 19th and 20th centuries, when lace was no longer a luxury item worn to display your wealth. I caught Philippa Gregory out in one of her earlier books (can't remember which one) where she has a girl peeling potatoes in early Tudor times, long before they were generally available in Europe. The trouble with this sort of petty inaccuracy is that it destroys the credibility of the whole book - you're forever wondering what else she's got wrong. Bridget, in Pinner,Middlesex. On Mon, 26 Sep 2011, Pene Piip wrote: I recently read The White Queen, The Virgin's Lover, The Red Queen by Philippa Godfrey in that orderIn The Red Queen she refers to Margaret wearing a nightgown which has the finest Valenciennes lace. - 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://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
[lace] Lace in literature
I recently read The White Queen, The Virgin's Lover, The Red Queen by Philippa Godfrey in that order. Sadly, these are all the books, written by this author, that the Tartu public library has on its shelves. I really enjoyed them, but was a little disappointed that her research wasn't thorough enough. In The Red Queen she refers to Margaret wearing a nightgown which has the finest Valenciennes lace. Am I correct in thinking that this type of lace didn't exist in the middle of the 15th century (1453 AD)? According to my computer research, it came into existence in the middle of the 18th century. Warm regards from, Pene in Tartu, Estonia - 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://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
Re: [lace] Lace in literature
Pene, I recently read The White Queen, The Virgin's Lover, The Red Queen by Philippa Godfrey in that order. Sadly, these are all the books, written by this author, that the Tartu public library has on its shelves. I've read just about everything Philippa GREGORY has written and really enjoy her style. I'm astounded that I didn't notice that line about the Valenciennes! Tonight I should finish her book on Eleanor of Aquitaine - wife of Henry II - an amazing woman for her time (12th century). This book is called Devil's Brood. Another author who writes in a similar vein is Sharon PENMAN. Her book on Simon De MONTFORT is extraordinary (When Christ and His Saints Slept). A third such author is Elizabeth CHADWICK. David in Ballarat - 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://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
Re: [lace] Lace in literature
Thanks, David, for picking up on my typing error. I even had the book in front of me at the time. You'll find the reference on the bottom of page 32 of The Red Queen. Pene On 9/26/2011 5:20 PM, David C COLLYER wrote: Pene, I recently read The White Queen, The Virgin's Lover, The Red Queen by Philippa Godfrey in that order. Sadly, these are all the books, written by this author, that the Tartu public library has on its shelves. I've read just about everything Philippa GREGORY has written and really enjoy her style. I'm astounded that I didn't notice that line about the Valenciennes! Tonight I should finish her book on Eleanor of Aquitaine - wife of Henry II - an amazing woman for her time (12th century). This book is called Devil's Brood. Another author who writes in a similar vein is Sharon PENMAN. Her book on Simon De MONTFORT is extraordinary (When Christ and His Saints Slept). A third such author is Elizabeth CHADWICK. David in Ballarat - 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://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
[lace] Lace in literature
Pene You are right that what most lacemakers think of as Valenciennes didn't exist in 1453. LePompe 1559 is the earliest documentation we have for what the early laces might have looked like. They were braided/plaited laces (some of which use 5 hole ground as the crossing for 2 braids), tape lace (Brit. braid laces), and some which are printed as little diamonds in the woodcut. These latter might be interpreted as torchon. (They might possibly, only possibly, be an early form of freehand laces.) What most lacemakers think of as Valenciennes dates from the latter half of the 19th century, into the 20th century: a straight lace with a ground made of 4thread braids worked in such a degree of openness that there aren't enough threads to make good dense clothwork, so extra threads are usually hung in for the cloth motifs and moved out of the way at the bottom on the motif. For some better quality 19th century Valenciennes, see http://lynxlace.com/bobbinlace19thcstraightmesh.html Go to the end of the page and look at the last 2 lines of photos. For some simpler Val, such as might be used on lingerie, see http://lynxlace.com/bobbinlacerevivalerastraight.html Go to the middle of the page. There are some revival era Val and Binche. For laces from LePompe (I've worked small samples of a few braided ones), see http://lynxlace.com/bobbinlace1559to1700.html The first row are LePompe. But the middle of the page has some early Val/Binche from the late 1600s, well after your story. Lorelei Halley - 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://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
[lace] Lace in literature: a new find
Dear Arachnes, I was surprised to find a section on pillow lace in an old detective story I read this weekend 'For the Defence, Dr Thorndyke'. Dr Thorndyke is an invention of R Austin Freeman mostly in the 20's and 30's. He is a Medico-Legal practitioner and an early forensic scientist, and in a way a successor to Sherlock Holmes. Project Gutenberg Australia has a lot of his stories. They normally take the form of relating a crime, then Dr Thorndyke takes up the legal case and shows forensically how the crime was committed and who did it. In this one the subject is an artist and is trying to avoid a charge of murder complicated by a mistaken identity for his cousin. He's just moved into digs, and has been buying some paints and other painting necessities. It's not a long section, so I'll quote it in full, but it proves crucial to proving his identity later on. It's clear the author had seen lace making and understood it. Enjoy Louise in murky damp Cambridge, but the willow catkins are out, spring is coming. Having deposited his parcels in his sitting-room, he walked through to the back room, half-kitchen and half-parlour, to report his return and exchange a few-words with his landlady. And here he had a genuine stroke of luck. At intervals, amidst his distractions, he had been trying to think of a subject to fit into the background of his own room. Now, as he opened the door, after a perfunctory tap with his knuckles, behold a subject almost ready made. By the low, small-paned window sat Mrs. Pendlewick in a Windsor arm-chair with a little gate-leg table by her side and a lace pillow on her lap. She looked up with a smile of welcome, viewing him over the tops of her spectacles as he stood in the doorway regarding her with delighted surprise. She made a charming picture. Figure, lighting and accessories made up just such an ensemble as the old genre painters would have loved; and Andrew, being a belated survivor of that school, felt a like enthusiasm. For a while he stood, taking in the effect of the group-the old-world figure with its silky-white hair and antique cap, the black pillow with its covering of lace and rows of bobbins, the simple, elegant chair and the ancient table--until the old lady became quite puzzled. I am taking the liberty of admiring you, Mrs. Pendlewick, he said at length. Law! she exclaimed, I thought I had got beyond that. But this is a new accomplishment, said he. I didn't know you were a lace-maker. New! she chuckled. I was a lace-maker before I was eight year old. Had my own pillow and bobbins and used to play at making lace. All the girls did down at my home; began it as child's play, and that's how we learnt. Down where I come from--I'm a Buckinghamshire woman, born and brought up at Wendover--down there you wouldn't meet a woman, no, nor a girl over ten, that couldn't make bone lace. They usually began to learn when they were about four or five. Why do you call it bone lace? he asked. It's on account of these, she explained, indicating the bewildering multitude of little bobbins that dangled by their threads from the edge of the work. They were mostly made of bone, though sometimes they used horn or hard wood. But bone was the regular thing because it was easy to come by. The lads used to make 'em for their sweethearts; carved 'em out with their pocket knives, they did, and some of them were uncommonly pretty bits of work. There's one that my grandfather made when he was courting my grandmother more than a hundred years ago; and it's as good as new now. She picked out the historic bobbin--a little bone stick elaborately decorated with shallow carving--and held it up proudly for his inspection; and as he examined it she babbled on: Yes, we're all of a piece, me and my belongings. We are all getting on. This chair that I'm sitting in was made by my Uncle James. He was a chair maker at High Wycombe, and they used to work out in the open beech-woods. And this little table was made by my grandfather--him that made that bobbin. He was a wheelwright, but he used to make furniture in the winter when the wagons was laid up and work was slack. So she rambled on, but not to the hindrance of her work; for, as she talked, her fingers were busy with their task, the right hand managing the pins while the left manipulated the bobbins, and all with an effortless dexterity that was delightful to watch. Nor were her babblings of the old country life in the Vale of Aylesbury without interest; and Andrew, looking on and listening, found himself gathering the sentiment and atmosphere that he hoped presently to express in his picture. After a spell of somewhat one-sided conversation, he ventured cautiously to approach the subject of that picture. But his caution was unnecessary, for Mrs. Pendlewick was all agog to have her likeness drawn, as she expressed it. Not but what I should have thought, she remarked, that you might have found someone better worth drawing. Who wants to
Re: [lace] Lace in literature: a new find
Hi Louise and everyone What a delightful find :) The author's word picture is extraordinary - I notice how he describes the process... we are accustomed to using two hands, one on each bobbin, stop and place pin. I have done a bit, using one hand only when the other was bandaged, or holding the telephone, e.g. on hold. It is slow, but possible. I did not place pins with the other hand though. , the right hand managing the pins while the left manipulated the bobbins, and all with an... Does anyone know - did the lacemakers expertly use one hand to move bobbins, the other to place pins? It would make for speed, I think. If not, the author is excused for creative writing. :D Thank you Louise. I shall check out Project Gutenberg for this author. On 2/21/11, Louise Bailey bail...@slb.com wrote: -- Bev in Shirley BC, near Sooke on beautiful Vancouver Island, west coast of Canada - 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://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
Re: [lace] Lace in literature: a new find
Does anyone know - did the lacemakers expertly use one hand to move bobbins, the other to place pins? Not so easy to do with spangled bobbins, except I always do the twists at the end of the row and lift the pair back a bit with hte hand at that end, while the other hand fetches the pin to place under it. I guess if she was working a norrow braid lace, the stretching-for-the- pin movement would be what he noticed, as it would happen frequently. I try to get my students to do the same, as you can quickly train both hands to do both movements, but many of them claim they can't possibly put a pin in with their non-dominant hand. However, with unspangled bobbins and a bolster pillow, with practise you can. I was watching one of the teachers in Malaga and her right hand, mouth and brain were focussed on the detail she was explaining to the student, and at the same time the other hand holding two passives and a worker was able to weave the workers through the passives. I didn't believe what I was seeing the first time, but she did it over and over. My hands aren't big enough to hold three pairs in order, let alone weave them through each other. I've tried with one hand, two pairs and that's very slow, hard and clumsy. Jacquie in Lincolnshire - 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://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
Re: [lace] Lace in literature: a new find - moving bobbins with one hand
Bev Walker wrote Does anyone know - did the lacemakers expertly use one hand to move bobbins, the other to place pins? The Lace Guild library has a draft copy of a book by Ethel Nettleship - 'Pillow Lace Making - 14 technical lessons to train the eyes and hands in the art of pillow lace making' which is probably pre 1950 (information from David Springett). The section on 'How to use the hands' starts Hold the hands downwards as though playing the piano. Practise lifting the bobbins between the 4th and 3rd, 3rd and 2nd, 2nd and 1st fingers of the left hand until the muscles ache. While doing this hang the right hand down to the side, and do not let it help the left hand. The left hand fingers make the stitch, without the use of the thumb. The thumb comes into use later - but it is important to be able to make the stitches with the left hand fingers only, as while doing this the right hand puts up the pin and so only half the time is taken to do the two things. She goes on to explain exactly how to hold the bobbins in the fingers while making a cloth stitch. I did try working as described but obviously didn't practise hard enough! Jean in Glasgow where it's been trying to snow on and off all day - 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://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
Re: [lace] Lace in literature: a new find - moving bobbins with one hand
Thank you Jean, and Jacqui T., for the most interesting information about the question. What training: On 2/21/11, Jean Leader lacema...@q7design.demon.co.uk wrote: Hold the hands downwards as though playing the piano. Practise lifting the bobbins between the 4th and 3rd, 3rd and 2nd, 2nd and 1st fingers of the left hand until the muscles ache. ... Now I'm wondering, is there less *ache* if one is left-handed? Though I'm right-handed, if occasionally I do bobbin lace with one hand, it is the left-hand making the bobbins move. I lift the bobbins one at a time, stop and pin. The right, if not holding the phone (unless I remember to put it on speaker) rests at my side. -- Bev in Shirley BC, near Sooke on beautiful Vancouver Island, west coast of Canada - 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://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
Re: [lace] Lace in literature: a new find - moving bobbins with one hand
On Mon, Feb 21, 2011 at 12:49 PM, bev walker walker.b...@gmail.com wrote: Hold the hands downwards as though playing the piano. Practise lifting the bobbins between the 4th and 3rd, 3rd and 2nd, 2nd and 1st fingers of the left hand until the muscles ache. ... Now I'm wondering, is there less *ache* if one is left-handed? I would think she was just writing to and for right hand dominant people. In the 50's and earlier people did not allow their children to be left handed for the most part. So talking about using the left hand until the muscles ache would be about both developing the coordination needed and developing the muscles for the repetitive nature of the task. At least, that would be my guess about it. Bronwen -- Per pale argent and purpure, two phoenixes counterchanged sable and argent each rising from flames proper. It is sometimes the most fragile things that have the power to endure and become sources of strength. - May Sarton Only a life lived in the service to others is worth living.- Albert Einstein Out of clutter, find Simplicity. From discord, find Harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. - Albert Einstein And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. - Anais Nin Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. - Henry David Thoreau - 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://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
[lace] Lace in Literature
I finished reading Margaret Atwood's newest book The Year of the Flood which I enjoyed reading highly recommend. Near the very end I cam across these 2 sentences: What is our Cosmos but a snowflake? What is it but a piece of lace? from page 508. I had accidentally requested this book when I thought I'd read her first book The Edible Woman which I liked a lot. So now I'm binging on this author at present, I'm reading The Dancing Girls Other Stories before I dive into The Blind Assassin. Pene in Tartu, Estonia - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
RE: [lace] Lace in Literature
Yes, Margaret Atwood is an excellent writer, one of her best books, for me, if a little depressing Oryx and Crake. She loves words and uses them beautifully, she is been called a scintillating wordsmith. I've read, of course living in Canada one must, all her books. Congrats in finding her. Isabel Wear Realtor Sutton Group - West Coast 7547 Cambie Street Vancouver, BC V6P 3H6 Mobile: 604-377-3475 E-mail: isabel.w...@shaw.ca -Original Message- From: owner-l...@arachne.com [mailto:owner-l...@arachne.com] On Behalf Of pene piip Sent: November-06-10 7:44 AM To: Arachne Arachne Subject: [lace] Lace in Literature I finished reading Margaret Atwood's newest book The Year of the Flood which I enjoyed reading highly recommend. Near the very end I cam across these 2 sentences: What is our Cosmos but a snowflake? What is it but a piece of lace? from page 508. I had accidentally requested this book when I thought I'd read her first book The Edible Woman which I liked a lot. So now I'm binging on this author at present, I'm reading The Dancing Girls Other Stories before I dive into The Blind Assassin. Pene in Tartu, Estonia - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com
[lace] Lace in Literature
I just finished reading a wonderful book titled The Elegance of the Hedgehog written by Muriel Barbery. This book was translated from French is a sad poignant story about a concierge the families in her apartment building. Two of the chapter headings are titled Of Lace and Frills and Flounces Spiders' Webs. For more information about the book, please read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%27%C3%89l%C3%A9gance_du_h%C3%A9risson Apparently the book was made into a movie last year (July 2009). Has anyone seen it? Now I need to go to the library find another bedtime book. Pene in Tartu, Estonia where cooler weather is forecast this weekend. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
RE: [lace] Lace in Literature
I have read the reviews and it sounds like a really good read I have just reserved it at my local library. Thanks Pene Sue M Harvey Norfolk UK - - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
[lace] Lace in Literature
Last night I finished reading Volume 4 of Casanova's Memoirs. On page 634 there was another reference to lace. When I awoke the next morning I wrote to Zenobia to buy three dresses of the finest Lyons silk for three young ladies of rank. I sent the necessary measurements, and instructions as to the trimming. The Countess Ambrose's dress was to be white satin with a rich border of Valenciennes lace. On page 642 when the Countess is wearing the dress that Casanova designed, she says: But what a beautiful piece of trimming! It is worth four times as much as the dress itself. Now I have to return this book to the library check out the next volume. I had also checked out a DVD of Thomas Hardy's Far from the Madding Crowd which was a delight to watch. I loved the lace collar on the black dress that Bathsheba wore to the Christmas party. Warm regards, Pene in Tartu, Estonia - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
[lace] Lace in Literature
Last year DH I watched the TV Mini-series titled Casanova which stars David Tennant Peter O'Toole as the lead character. I was intrigued about his memoirs found that the Tartu Public Library had all 6 books as English translations by Arthur Machen. Since discovering these big books I've been reading them (to DH at bedtime) I am reading Volume 4 at present. In Chapter XVII on page 464, I read this passage: Agatha had no dress that was good enough, so I charged Madame Dupré to provide one at my expense, and I was well served. It is well known that when this sort of people dip their fingers into other people's purses they are not sparing, but that was just what I wanted. Agatha promised to dance all the quadrilles with me, and to return to Turin with Madame Dupré. On the day fixed for the ball I stayed to dinner at the Dupré's to be present at Agatha's toilette. Her dress was a rich and newly-made Lyon silk, and the trimming was an exquisite Alençon point lace, of which the girl did not know the value. Madame R--, who had arranged the dress, and Madame Dupré, had received instructions to say nothing about it to her. I've come across other references to lace in previous volumes but this was the first time the type of lace was mentioned. Pene in Tartu, Estonia - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: [lace] Lace in Literature
Very interesting. What year does this event take place in? Devon -Original Message- From: pene piip p...@eggo.org To: Arachne Arachne lace@arachne.com Sent: Thu, Aug 6, 2009 9:42 am Subject: [lace] Lace in Literature Last year DH I watched the TV Mini-series titled Casanova which stars David Tennant Peter O'Toole as the lead character. I was intrigued about his memoirs found that the Tartu Public Library had all 6 books as English translations by Arthur Machen. Since discovering these big books I've been reading them (to DH at bedtime) I am reading Volume 4 at present.  In Chapter XVII on page 464, I read this passage: Agatha had no dress that was good enough, so I charged Madame Dupré to provide one at my expense, and I was well served. It is well known that when this sort of people dip their fingers into other people's purses they are not sparing, but that was just what I wanted. Agatha promised to dance all the quadrilles with me, and to return to Turin with Madame Dupré. On the day fixed for the ball I stayed to dinner at the Dupré's to be present at Agatha's toilette. Her dress was a rich and newly-made Lyon silk, and the trimming was an exquisite Alençon point lace, of which the girl did not know the value. Madame R--, who had arranged the dress, and Madame Dupré, had received instructions to say nothing about it to her.  I've come across other references to lace in previous volumes but this w as the first time the type of lace was mentioned.  Pene in Tartu, Estonia  - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: [lace] Lace in Literature
Casanova doesn't mention dates often, but he was in his mid 30's. He was born in 1725. From what I can work out from the Wikipedia entry, I think it was in the very early 1760's. It was definitely before he went to England in 1763 which is where Volume 5 starts. Pene dmt11h...@aol.com wrote: Very interesting. What year does this event take place in? Devon -Original Message- From: pene piip p...@eggo.org To: Arachne Arachne lace@arachne.com Sent: Thu, Aug 6, 2009 9:42 am Subject: [lace] Lace in Literature Last year DH I watched the TV Mini-series titled Casanova which stars David Tennant Peter O'Toole as the lead character. I was intrigued about his memoirs found that the Tartu Public Library had all 6 books as English translations by Arthur Machen. Since discovering these big books I've been reading them (to DH at bedtime) I am reading Volume 4 at present. In Chapter XVII on page 464, I read this passage: Agatha had no dress that was good enough, so I charged Madame Dupré to provide one at my expense, and I was well served. It is well known that when this sort of people dip their fingers into other people's purses they are not sparing, but that was just what I wanted. Agatha promised to dance all the quadrilles with me, and to return to Turin with Madame Dupré. On the day fixed for the ball I stayed to dinner at the Dupré's to be present at Agatha's toilette. Her dress was a rich and newly-made Lyon silk, and the trimming was an exquisite Alençon point lace, of which the girl did20not know the value. Madame R--, who had arranged the dress, and Madame Dupré, had received instructions to say nothing about it to her. I've come across other references to lace in previous volumes but this was the first time the type of lace was mentioned. Pene in Tartu, Estonia - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com mailto:majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here mailto:y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com mailto:arachnemodera...@yahoo.com - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
RE: [lace] Lace in Literature
I am currently reading a novel titled The Lacemaker by Janine Montupet (1984) translated into English by Lowell Bair (1988). It takes place in the second half of the seventeenth century in Alençon, France and concerns the life and loves of a lace maker. There are lots of references to methods and the general life of a lace maker including the apprentice programs. The lace made by the main character is a needle lace, but there are occasional references to bobbin lace which appears to be an inferior product at that time. Though there is the usual disclaimer about accuracy at the beginning of the book, the historical settings appear to be reasonably accurate. I havent finished the book yet, but I am enjoying the historical setting and all the lace references. Anita Okrend Silver Spring MD USA -Original Message- From: owner-l...@arachne.com [mailto:owner-l...@arachne.com] On Behalf Of pene piip Sent: Thursday, August 06, 2009 9:43 AM To: Arachne Arachne Subject: [lace] Lace in Literature Last year DH I watched the TV Mini-series titled Casanova which stars David Tennant Peter O'Toole as the lead character. I was intrigued about his memoirs found that the Tartu Public Library had all 6 books as English translations by Arthur Machen. Since discovering these big books I've been reading them (to DH at bedtime) I am reading Volume 4 at present. In Chapter XVII on page 464, I read this passage: Agatha had no dress that was good enough, so I charged Madame Dupré to provide one at my expense, and I was well served. It is well known that when this sort of people dip their fingers into other people's purses they are not sparing, but that was just what I wanted. Agatha promised to dance all the quadrilles with me, and to return to Turin with Madame Dupré. On the day fixed for the ball I stayed to dinner at the Dupré's to be present at Agatha's toilette. Her dress was a rich and newly-made Lyon silk, and the trimming was an exquisite Alençon point lace, of which the girl did not know the value. Madame R--, who had arranged the dress, and Madame Dupré, had received instructions to say nothing about it to her. I've come across other references to lace in previous volumes but this was the first time the type of lace was mentioned. Pene in Tartu, Estonia - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
[lace] Lace in Literature
It was fun to come across this reference to Bobbin Lace as I read one of the 13 books listed in author Jay Parini's recently published Promised Land; Thirteen Books That Changed America . Mary Antin's memoir (also titled The Promised Land) details her childhood journey from Polotzk, Russia, in the Pale of Settlement, to Boston,MA, USA. She devotes 2 or 3 paragraphs to her experience in learning and teaching Bobbin Lace (p.127 of the paperback edition). I was always...very clumsy with my hands..but when the fad for Russian Lace was introduced into Polotzk...all feminine Polotzk...dropped knitting and crochet needles and embroidery frames to take up pillow and bobbins. I, too, was carried away by the novelty and applied myself heartily to learn the new art...my hands knew their business for once...I gave lessons at my pupils'homes. 1 - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
[lace] Lace in Literature
Devon said-the name Doretta Davanzo Poli coming up in my mental file ... Devon, this is the person who wrote, or edited, il Merletto Veneziano a beaut book I have, which I bought with some prize money from a lace competition. As the text is all in Italian, I can only understand a few words, - but there are more photos than text, so I have a lovely Lace book to drool over!!! The biography at the end of the book, - as far as I can make out, says she was a director of Art and costume at the Palazzo Grassi di Venezia around 1973-80Some University work 1986-91, and 1994, Conservator of the Lace Museum in Burano, and ends with her being President of the committee for the Biennial International Lace at Sansepolcro. This is the best I can fathom out!! She sounds an amazing woman of lace. Regards from Liz in Melbourne [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for home users. SPAMfighter has removed 252 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] Lace in Literature
I recently read an interesting fictional book which was set in 1966 in the city of Florence when the Arno River flooded did much damage to the contents of the old buildings. The book is written by Robert Hellenga is titled The Sixteen Pleasures. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. To read some excerpts from the book go to: http://roberthellenga.com/Individual%20pages/Sixteen%20Pleasures.html I found this little mention of lace in Chapter 7: There is nowhere to hide. Oh, there are plenty of places to hide physically, but not conveniently. Dottor Postiglione does not wish to spend the day in the Lace Museum on the fourth floor, for example. He hasn't the stamina for it. Lace does not interest him; it is an oppressive business, lace. Not worth the trouble. It is the product of slave labor and the opposite, there- fore, of true art. Besides, he has pressing business to attend to. From page 142 of The Sixteen Pleasures by Robert Hellenga. The book is referring to the Palazzo Davanzati in Florence, Italy. When I looked on the internet, this palazzo is indeed a museum where it displays a very fine collection of lacework ranging from the 16th to the 20th centuries to quote the museum web-site. I'd like to ask if any lacemakers in Italy whether they have ever been to this museum seen any of the lace pieces there? Warm regards from, Pene Piip (who has her 50th birthday tomorrow) - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [lace] Lace in Literature
I tried to get into the Palazzo Davanzati in Florence several years ago and got as far as the foyer. It was being reconstructed and had some very far off date for its reopening, which locals considered to be overly optimistic. However, it may have opened by now. I think there are some pieces from this collection pictured in the Anne Kraatz book, Lace, and for some reason I seem to have the name Doretta Davanzo Poli coming up in my mental file in relation to this collection. Perhaps she wrote about it, or perhaps my memory is playing tricks on me, since her name is similar to the Palazzo. Devon **Pt...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com. (http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty000514) - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [lace] Lace in Literature
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Pene!!! In the finest ancient (not you - but cultures...) tradition, the celebrant has bestowed a gift on us all!! I can hardly wait to get my hands on Hellenga's The Sixteen Pleasures... as I was an innocent Art History scholar (!) in 1966 when Florence was flooded, and as a result, the wicked witch (my major professor) put ALL of her focus on the tragedy in Florence that year. So... there are shards of knowledge still in my gray matter, and I'm eager to read the book (although I doubt that my knowledge will in any way challenge or even detract from the book itself!!) Clay Clay Blackwell Lynchburg, VA, USA pene piip wrote: I recently read an interesting fictional book which was set in 1966 in the city of Florence when the Arno River flooded did much damage to the contents of the old buildings. The book is written by Robert Hellenga is titled The Sixteen Pleasures. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. To read some excerpts from the book go to: http://roberthellenga.com/Individual%20pages/Sixteen%20Pleasures.html I found this little mention of lace in Chapter 7: There is nowhere to hide. Oh, there are plenty of places to hide physically, but not conveniently. Dottor Postiglione does not wish to spend the day in the Lace Museum on the fourth floor, for example. He hasn't the stamina for it. Lace does not interest him; it is an oppressive business, lace. Not worth the trouble. It is the product of slave labor and the opposite, there- fore, of true art. Besides, he has pressing business to attend to. From page 142 of The Sixteen Pleasures by Robert Hellenga. The book is referring to the Palazzo Davanzati in Florence, Italy. When I looked on the internet, this palazzo is indeed a museum where it displays a very fine collection of lacework ranging from the 16th to the 20th centuries to quote the museum web-site. I'd like to ask if any lacemakers in Italy whether they have ever been to this museum seen any of the lace pieces there? Warm regards from, Pene Piip (who has her 50th birthday tomorrow) - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[lace] lace in literature
While reading The Turkish Embassy Letters by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (Virago 1995, edited by Anita Desai), I came across the following tantalising passages. Lady Montagu's husband was appointed British Ambassador to Turkey in 1716 and they travelled across Europe and back for his posting, along with a young child, and a second born on the trip. Educated, well brought up and curious, she has some fascinating, albeit opinionated and not always accurate, comments on the places and people she saw, and is also credited with introducing the Turkish method of smallpox inoculation into England. At the start of her trip:, written in Rotterdam in August 1716: ...I must not conclude without begging your pardon for not obeying your commands in sending the lace you ordered me. Upon my word I can yet find none that is not dearer than you may buy it in London. If you want any Indian goods, here are great variety of pennyworths, and I shall follow your orders with great pleasure and exactness... And near the end of the book, written on the trip back to Dover in October 1718: ...I could not forebear being entertained by the double distress of a fellow passenger? She was an English lady that I had met at Calais, who desired me to let her go over with me in my cabin. She had bought a fine point head [identified in a foot note as a lace cap] which she was contriving to conceal from the custom house officers. When the wind grew high and our little vessel cracked, she fell very heartily to her prayers and thought wholly of her soul. When it seemed to abate she returned to the worldly care of her headdress, and addressed herself to me. 'Dear madam, will you take care of this point? If it should be lost...ah Lord! We shall all be lost! Lord have mercy on my soul. Pray, madam, take care of this headdress'. This easy transition from her soul to her headdress, and the alternate agonies that both gave her, made it hard to determine which she thought of greatest value. There are a couple of mentions of the sumptuary laws and some general comments on other textiles, but regrettably nothing else on lace... Lady Montagu JulieO in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada, hosting the Canada Winter Games February 23- March 10, 2007 - held north of 60 for the first time - with lots of fresh snow, cold temperatures, and more daylight each day . [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [lace] Lace in literature - and the price of lace
A quick flick through the Bucks. Cottage Workers Agency book, not dated but after 1911 so from the fashions as well, a little earlier than your book, reveals only one Bucks collar. Lots of Beds and Irish crochet(?) and a Bucks neckband - very Edwardian. The collar is marked as 8/6, 10/-, 12/6 or 15/-. (Does this indicate different quality or other styles?) The prices are also given in dollars $2.10, $2.50, $3.00 or $4.00 *each* (just in case you thought this was for a dozen). Then my question appears to be answered as Other Point Ground collars are priced from One Guinea up to Ten Guineas each So, nearly 10 years earlier the starting price is 8shillings and 6pence through the agency, but if lace in 1920 was further out of fashion and the old woman is not working for the agency, maybe her price was lower. Also the collar illustrated, although the cheapest, is quite wide (basic horseshoe shape) so a little collar should be less expensive still. Jacquie, still on a high from Scarborough. - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
