Sometimes I think there is more to When a lace cuff cost as much as a house than it seems. That’s why I sat down to write it out slowly.
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 Origins of bobbin lace.
If you visit a museum, look at the back of the pieces. The lacemaker’s hand shows there even more than on the front.
Where it comes from¶
- A vara of fine Flemish lace could equal a year’s salary.
- European courts squandered fortunes on imported lace.
- Capital flight alarmed royal coffers.
How it changed¶
- Producing a metre of fine blonda could need 200 hours of work.
- Few lacemakers reached the excellence demanded by the court.
- Confraternities controlled prices to keep quality and margins.
How we live it today¶
- Today we reproduce historical lace with similar time-cost.
- The difference is the recognised cultural (not so much economic) value.
Nearby¶
- Origins of bobbin lace: from the 15th century to today
- Flemish lace: Bruges, Brussels and the European golden age
- Asturian lace: local history and tradition
I hope this helps. If you want a teacher in front of you, Encaixe runs courses. I no longer teach, but I know them and recommend them wholeheartedly.