Handkerchief
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Bobbin lace: border and medallions of Valenciennes; square or diamond plaited mesh.
Dimensions
L. 13 x W. 13 inches (33.0 x 33.0 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Laces
Culture
French
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. John Jacob Astor, 1888
Accession Number
88.1.59
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 19th-century French handkerchief, crafted from delicate bobbin lace, showcases the artistry of Valenciennes lace—a style originating from the Valenciennes region northern France. Measuring a perfect square at 13 x 13 inches, it features intricate floral borders and medallions set against a fine square or diamond plait mesh ground, evoking flowers in airy elegance. Valenciennes lace, prized for its lightweight transparency and seamless integration of motifs into the mesh, was a hallmark of luxury textiles during the era. Bobbin lace technique, involving dozens of threads wound o...