Rare Lace

Southland Times, Issue 20147, 6 April 1927, Page 13

Rare Lace

(From Our Correspondent.) London. The exhibition arranged by the Embroiderers’ Guild of modern embroidery, old lace, and quilting, which was postponed last year on account of the general strike, has opened for a fortnight at Walker’s Galleries, New* Bond street. The Queen, one of the Royal patronesses of the guild, will visit the exhibition on her return to town, and has loaned seven most valuable examples to the display of old lace. The Queen’s contribution includes a wonderful flounce of Venetian rosepoint, which is as fine as any known piece of that order. A scarf in needlepoint, which was presented to King Edward and Queen Alexandra on their wedding, has the Prince of Wales’s feathers worked into the design. There are also two exquisite pieces of Irish carracmacross, and a sample of Brussels applique or net. In addition the Queen has lent two beautiful little handbags in pink and yellow, trimmed with bibila lace (Greek work from Constantinople) and given to

Queen Victoria by the Turkish Ambassador in 1845. There is a display by Miss lonides of this incredibly minute and lovely bibila work, some of which needs to be examined with a lens to be appreciated. It is practised by Christian women, but unfortunately is beginning to die out. Flowers and animals are the principal subjects; they are worked on a basis of horsehair, and finely wired so that thej’ stand out, and they are executed in brilliant colourings. One cannot conceive how the needle ever made anything so diminutive as some of the flowers. A white piece, 200 years old, is peculiar to Smyrna and extremely rare. Included in the loan of antique specimens of lace and quilting are many wonderful examples from the collection of Sir William I Lawrence. The seventeenth century bodice lent by him is exquisite, as are some of his specimens of reticella lace. Some historic pieces of Argentan and Brussels needlepoint are loaned by Ladj’ Des Voeux. There

are some realty beautiful quilted bedspreads representative of Queen Ann’s time, of Dutch Indies and Indo-Portuguese work. A remote contributor is Mrs Harkness, who has sent a fine piece of old Spanish embroidery from California. The modern embroidery section is a revelation of present-day activities in needlework circles. None of the work has been shown prior to 1925, and the resources and technique of the presentday worker are alike remarkable. The influences at work in post-war design contribute some striking contrasts for which inspiration is found in

the modern art school and in the Queen Anne period; while traces of French and Oriental influence are likewise apparent. One of the most original pieces is a tea cosj', embroidered by Miss Erawt on white linen in a very modern design in beautiful colourings. An extraordinary wallhanging done entirely in patchwork in vivid colours by Miss Beaton portrays a village girl carrying her pitcher. Another remarkable piece by Miss Avenden represents an old sailing ship boldly carried out in applique—might well be mistaken for a painting. A dainty and fanciful sample called

“The Tulip Tree” constitutes an exquisite piece of needlework by Miss Hudson. There are a great many other very striking contributions, and the entries were judged by experts from the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the standard is exceptionally high.