VALENCIENNES DE GHENT

At the beginning of the 19th century, the laceindustry had to survive the resulting crisis of the French Revolution. In 1836, a new laceschool for orphans was opened in Ghent. Sister Marie Joseph, Virginie Vrancken, became the director. She thought by introducing a new type of lace, their income would grow.

She succeeded in inventing a method for assembling lace and it was called "Valenciennes de Gand" or Valenciennes from Ghent. This proved to be so successful that she took a patent for this lace in 1852.

The lace was non-continuous in comparison with the usual Valenciennes. The flowery design is worked very densely and flat. The different parts could be kept in stock. As a result incoming orders could be produced much quicker. This way of working also created the possibility to make very big pieces of lace.

As proof of the success of this lace we can mention that in 1853, the city of Ghent made an order for a lace to give as a present to Prince Leopold II and Archduchess Maria Henriette for their wedding. More then 80.000 bobbins were used to produce this dress.

After the death of Sister Marie Joseph, the whole organisation had a number of setbacks. The patent ended in 1867 and so did the making of Valenciennes lace of Ghent