DUTCH LACE

The reason for naming it Dutch lace is simple: the lace was made in the Flandres province for export to Holland. Dutch lace is also called Cauliflower or Chrysanthemum lace because of the pattern. In the many portraits of that period , we can see that Dutch lace was a thick, closely worked, strong lace. It formed a nice effect and contrast on their costumes. Dutch laces became famous because of the quality of its flax thread. The Flemish thread was bleached in Harlem (Holland) and was considered the best flaxthread in the world.

Click on the pictures left and below to see a close-up.

When reading stories written down by English travellers from the 17th century, it tell us that Dutch houses were full of laces. These Dutch laces were not only used to decorate garments but also for decoration of their household objects. Even their brasses and warming pans were muffled in laces. In Holland people had some unusual customs with lace. For example they tied their lace around the doorknocker of their home to announce a newborn baby. This was not only meant as decoration but it also had a practical purpose. The baby would not wake up from knocking because the lace deadened the sound of the doorknocker. Dutch lace was exported to other parts of Europe and America through Holland.

Dutch lace 17th century Characteristics:
* Lace with continuous thread technique.
* The motifs are mostly cauliflower or chrysanthemum design.
* The motifs are worked very densely in clothstitch with jours or small holes.
* The motifs are surrounded by a ring of wholestitch.
* The motifs are not suurounded by a contouring thread.
* The borders are mostly straight, at one side with picots.
* The ground is mostly Point de Paris in clothstitch or whole stitch.
* As the linen thread is very fine the ground looks like being plaited.
Although it bears the name Dutch lace, the lace was made in Flandres.