Historical information

Although well-worn and somewhat damaged, this elegant lace collar is handmade and is a combination of some different styles. Bedfordshire lace, or simply Beds lace, and also known as Bedfordshire Maltese lace, was based on local lace forms traditionally produced in the English Midlands and on the Maltese lace that was developed in the early nineteenth century and on show at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. Maltese lace, and Bedfordshire lace, are forms of guipure, bobbin lace. The Maltese lace in particular gave the Bedfordshire lace its rounded leaf patterns and in this case its delicate brides and edging. The motifs appear to have been added and are most likely to be examples of Cluny lace which is of French origin and is a heavy plaited bobbin lace which is geometric in design often with radiating wheat ears.

The motifs in this lace collar bear a very strong resemblance to Carrickmacross lace which is Irish in origin and is crafted by placing first the pattern, then fine muslin through which the pattern can be seen and then stitching around the pattern and finally cutting the excess muslin away. The pattern is decorated further with needle run stitches.

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.

Physical description

Maltese bobbin (NGV) Bedfordshire Cluny style hand made plaited lace