Lappet (one of a pair)

Art Historical Context

This exquisite *Lappet*, one of a pair from 18th-century Brussels, exemplifies the pinnacle of Flemish lace-making artistry. Measuring 22¾ x 3⅝ inches, it served as an elegant ornamental band, likely worn draped over the shoulders or head in formal attire, adorning the elite during Europe's Age of Elegance. Produced in the lace-making capital of Brussels, such pieces were prized status symbols, blending opulence with intricate detail. Crafted in bobbin lace using the *point d'Angleterre*—a bobbin-made variant mimicking the finer needlepoint laces of England—this lappet showcases the lacemaker's virtuosity. Threads were twisted and plaited on a pillow with pins to form delicate floral motifs, as suggested by its design tags. Brussels lacemakers in the 1700s were renowned for such dense, symmetrical patterns, which required immense skill and time, often taking months to complete a single piece. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts Department, this lappet entered the collection in 1933 via The Mabel Metcalf Fahnestock Collection, a generous gift. It invites visitors to appreciate the unseen labor behind textile treasures, highlighting lace's role in cultural exchange and fashion history between Flanders and England.