Flounce
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Bobbin lace
Dimensions
16 x 125 inches (40.6 x 317.5 cm.)
Classification
Textiles-Laces
Culture
Flemish
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Hamilton W. Cary, in memory of Mrs. Cary, 1906
Accession Number
06.1172.6
Art Historical Context
Step into the intricate world of 18th Flemish lace with *Flounce*, a stunning of bobbin lace craftsmanship from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative collection. Measuring an impressive 16 x 125 inches (40.6 x 317.5 cm), this long, narrow strip was designed as a decorative border—likely for the hem or sleeves of a lavish gown—showcasing the opulence of Baroque-era fashion among Europe's elite. Bobbin lace, a hallmark of Flemish textile artistry, is created by twisting and intertwining fine linen threads using small bobbins pinned to a pillow. This labor-intensive ...