Quille (one of a pair)
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Needle lace, point d’Alençon
Dimensions
L. 87 3/4 inches (222.9 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Laces
Culture
French
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Frances Morris, in memory of Mary Parsons and Catharine Newbold, 1945
Accession Number
45.122.1
Art Historical Context
Step into the opulent world of 18-century French fashion with *Quille*, one of pair of exquisite needle lace from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative collection. Crafted in the renowned point d’Alençon technique, this nearly 88-inch-long (222.9 cm) textile exemplifies the pinnacle of lace artistry during the Ancien Régime. Originating from Alençon, France—a center of lace production regulated by royal decree—this piece was likely intended as a luxurious accessory, such as a flounce, lappet for a headdress, or garment trim, adorning the elite with its delicate, fe...