MECHLIN LACE
This is a quite unique piece of antique lace, which dates from the middle of the 19th century. It is a prime example of Mechlin lace, due to its size and intricate and elegant design. According to a note found with the lace, the piece was originally 16 metres long and 12 inches wide, twice the normal width. It is an almost unique piece that supposedly belonged to one of the queens of Sardinia.
This is credible, because the light and elegant Mechlin laces were hugely fashionable in the 18th century, and were favoured by the Royal Courts of Europe as a
decoration for their clothes. The kingdom of Sardinia was extremely wealthy in the 19th century, for it covered almost the whole of Italy. Needless to say, the Sardinian royalty were eager to show off their wealth, and sublime pieces of lace like the one we're discussing here, were an excellent way to do just that.
This piece of lace showcases the so-called
Iceground a hexagonal ground created without pins that was the trademark of the Mechlin lacemakers.The pattern used consists of an intricate weaving of vine leaves, grapes and clover leaves. The vine leaves and grapes bear an interesting symbolic meaning, referring to the Eucharistic wine, hence the blood of Christ, as well as to autumn. Thus at the same time, it contains elements of mortality and immortality. This is of course reminiscent of the nature of government in kingdoms, because the person of the king may be mortal, but the institution remains alive. The clover leaves found in the pattern were a common feature in Mechlin lace, because they refer directly to the city of Mechlin itself, the clover leaves were a part of the Mechlin coat of arms.
This unique piece is part of a private collection.