Lace collars and cuffs were used by women in the late 19th and early 20th century to embellish their clothing. They were able to be detached which made them suitable as a decorative object on clothing that could be easily changed when required. Duchesse lace, was produced in Belgium from about the mid-nineteenth century onwards. In general, it was regarded as a cheaper version of 'true' Brussels lace and is a form of bobbin lace. The lace set has significance historically and socially as an example of textile accessories women used to embellish their clothing in the late 19th and early 20th century.A Duchesse lace set comprising three collars, a pair of cuffs and a hanky. Two of the collars are rounded and the third has a rectangular back and falls to points at the front. The lace on the hanky has been handstitched to the fine linen centre shape. In each piece the lace motifs are flower based (petals, stems, leaves) and are joined by thin bars.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, lace, brussels duchesse lace, duchesse lace, cotton, linen, flower motifs, bobbin lace, lace collar, lace cuff, lace hanky, lace handkerchief, lace set, lace accessories

Mount Beauty is a tourist destination and this 'hanky' may have been a souvenir.Since the completion of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme Mount Beauty has become a tourist destination. The 'hanky' depicts the snow on the mountains and nature as an advertisement for visiting the town and its surrounds.White cotton handkerchief with lace edges and a blue print in one corner. The blue print is a picture of mountains with snow and with wattle trees in the foreground and with the words Mount Beauty Victoria.mount beauty tourism, handkerchief