Lacemakers Pillow

Lace was more than just a sumptuous and highly coveted luxury, affordable only to the privileged and well-born. It was also the product of an industry that provided a living to thousands of workers. It formed a considerable portion of the revenue of many nations, and played a role in history that goes largely unrecognized and unremarked today.

Demand for lace was so high and widespread that many women became lacemakers.  In Europe, Lace Schools for village girls were founded by noblewomen, their patronage being paid for in lace, no doubt. Children of both genders were enrolled at about age five or so, with boys usually leaving as they grew strong enough for harder labor. Once trained, lacemakers were no longer a burden on the family's resources. A girl could save towards her own dowry. She could continue to make lace after she married to contribute to her household's income and if she was widowed, she could support herself and her children. 

This wonderful Chintz covered "Bolster" pillow, stuffed firmly with straw is what would have been used to make "Bobbin Lace" which is worked on a firm pillow over a pricked pattern. Thread is wound on bobbin pairs and twisted around pins set in the pattern or "pricking" until the tension of the work holds the design in place. Bobbin lace was sometimes called "pillow lace" for the pillow used to hold the pins.  All bobbin lace is the result of two simple movements the "cross" and the "twist" just as the most intricate knitted designs are formed of the basic "knit" and "purl" stitches.  According to the note pinned on the pillow it is  "A Bag My Sister Beshia Carried in 1820" and signed" HM Steere."  It is complete with bobbins and a length of lace. It is basically a "work in progress" and one can't help but wonder what interrupted Beshia that she left the project unfinished, yet still intact on the pillow.  The pillow is 9" long and 7" in diameter and is in overall  fine condition. It is a splendid example of the genre` and worthy to be called museum quality, a term we do not use loosely. A wonderful addition to a collection of sewing related items.
$1450.00
R09K120221