Flounce
Medium
Cotton, bobbin part lace
Dimensions
26.5 × 154.5 cm (11 5/8 × 60 3/4 in.); Repeat: W.: 28.3 cm (11 1/8 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
69472
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Textiles department of the Art Institute Chicago, *Flounce* (1862) is a creation by the Soeurs de Nôtre de la Visitation, religious order renowned for their exquisite lacework. Crafted from cotton in the bobbin part lace technique, this elongated piece measures 26.5 × 154.5 cm, with a repeating motif every 28.3 cm wide. Flounces like this were prized decorative trims, often adorning the hems or ruffles of Victorian-era gowns, blending functionality with opulent detail. Bobbin lace, a labor-intensive craft dating back centuries, involves deftly twisting threads held on handheld ...