Flounce
Unknown Artist
ca.1700
Medium
Needle lace
Dimensions
L. 120 x W. 23 1/2 inches (304.8 x 59.7 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Laces
Culture
French
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Mabel Metcalf Fahnestock Collection, the gift of Ruth Fahnestock Schermerhorn and Faith Fahnestock, 1933
Accession Number
33.90.137
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the opulent world of 18th-century French fashion with *Flounce*, a stunning example of needle lace from around 1700. This elongated decorative strip, measuring an impressive 120 inches long by 23½ inches wide, was designed to adorn the edges of garments like skirts or sleeves, adding dramatic flair and elegance. Crafted in France during the lavish reign of Louis XIV, when lace became a hallmark of aristocratic luxury, its delicate floral motifs—evident in the tagged "Flowers" theme—capture the era's love for nature-inspired ornamentation amid the grandeur of Versailles. Needle lace,...