Historical information

This detachable lace collar has been machine made and there was a note included with the piece to say “Dickie”. Perhaps calling it a lace collar is a misnomer. If it is indeed a dickey that would be a false front (e.g. the celluloid false tuxedo front for men) then the fabric would be at the bosom with the straight edge of the collar draped over it and perhaps the long pieces embellishing the sleeves. Dickeys made the transition to women’s wear in 1943 although they may have been worn by women before this time. The February issue of Vogue New York stated that one would “enliven your new suit or rejuvenate your old”. Women’s dickeys were made from cotton or rayon and embellished with embroidery, lace or ruffles.

The lace itself is quite beautiful but the construction of the piece is quite confusing. Due to its ostensibly irregular and non-conformist shape, the members of the Lace Guild who examined this piece opined that it was made for a specific garment. This may have been an elegant jacket or blouse.

Significance

The Amess family owned Churchill Island from 1872 to 1929. This lace collection was owned and contributed to by four generations of Amess women, see above.

Physical description

Detachable lace collar, with plain netting overlaid with multiple stripes with small floral motifs repeating at regular intervals.

Inscriptions & markings

Packaged with note "Dickie"