I’ll tell it the way my grandmother told it to me: no jargon when it isn’t needed. Today, Origins of bobbin lace: from the 15th century to today.
What we do for pleasure today was, for a long time, the livelihood of entire villages. That should not be forgotten If you fancy, I’ll leave Flemish lace.
Each European region has its own grammar. What Flanders calls one thing, we call another. They don’t always match, and that’s fine.
Where it comes from¶
- First unambiguous mentions in late 15th-century Italian and Flemish inventories.
- Likely origin in medieval passementerie with Coptic and Arab influences.
- Ornamental explosion with the Renaissance and starched collars.
How it changed¶
- 16th c.: Flemish and Venetian golden age.
- 17th c.: Spain adopts with own personality.
- 19th c.: industrialisation nearly kills the craft.
- 20-21st c.: revival, official schools, digital communities.
How we live it today¶
- Today museum, experimental and productive coexist.
- Generational transmission is the 21st-century challenge.
Nearby¶
- Flemish lace: Bruges, Brussels and the European golden age
- When a lace cuff cost as much as a house
- Pattern: small round doily Christmas version
That’s all, dear. If you have more questions, write to me through the form. And if you’d like to handle the materials before buying, Encaixe is open.
(My grandmother writes; her family translates. Be kind with any clumsy phrasing.)