Cap crown

Art Historical Context

This exquisite **Cap crown** from the second quarter of the 18th century showcases the pinnacle of Flemish lace-making artistry. Crafted as bobbin lace in the refined **point d'Angleterre** style—a specialty that mimicked English lace patterns while highlighting local virtuosity—this piece measures 11 x 8½ inches and was designed as an ornamental crown for a woman's cap. Its delicate floral motifs, a hallmark of the era's decorative textiles, evoke the opulent gardens of Europe's aristocracy. Bobbin lace technique involved twisting and intertwining fine linen threads on a pillow with pins, allowing lace makers to create intricate, symmetrical patterns without a needle. In Flemish workshops, this method flourished during the 1700s, turning lace into a status symbol worn by the elite at court and in fashionable portraits. The **point d'Angleterre** variant, prized for its dense picots and scrolling flowers, represented technical mastery and economic prowess, as Flanders dominated the luxury lace trade. A generous gift to The Metropolitan Museum of Art from Mrs. John Jacob Astor in 1888, this cap crown offers a tactile glimpse into 18th-century refinement, where every thread wove stories of skill, commerce, and elegance. Visitors can marvel at its preserved fragility, a testament to enduring craftsmanship.