Historical information

Limerick Museum item:
DESCRIPTION: Limerick lace. Blonde work. Designed and made by Eileen O’Donohue of the Limerick Lace School.
PATTERN: Eastern style pattern with diamond zigzag border followed by flower and leaf border at the two ends. The centre has a scattering of single flowers with leaves. Crochet edges and fringed at both ends.
STITCHES AND TECHNIQUES: Limerick Lace & crocheted fringe.
FIBRE: Raw Silk threads, possibly silk net. SIZE: Height 284 cm cm x Width 58 cm.
DATE: 1900 – 1915.

Significance

Limerick lace – By the Poor For the Rich: Lace in Context Blonde Limerick lace refers to a specific style of Limerick lace—an Irish embroidered net—that adopts the aesthetic of 18th/19th-century French "blonde" lace, often featuring fine silk or cream-colored thread on a net base. It is a mixed lace, combining tambour or needle-run embroidery on a machine-made net.
Characteristics and Context:
Definition: Limerick lace is a "mixed" lace created by decorating machine-made net with hand embroidery, specifically tambour work (using a hook) or needle-run work.
"Blonde" Aspect: Traditionally, blonde lace was a French silk lace known for its natural cream/pale gold color. When applied to Limerick lace, this refers to the use of fine cream or écru threads to create intricate patterns.
Types of Limerick Lace:
Tambour: A hook is used to create chain stitches.
Needle-run: Embroidery is applied using a needle.
Design and History: Patterns often feature floral, foliate, and nature-inspired motifs, such as shamrocks, ferns, or butterflies. While the industry began in 1829, styles evolved to include varied fillings.
Production: The Limerick Lace School has produced modern interpretations, including stoles and veils featuring this technique.

Physical description

Cream net with an all over design in cream floss silk embroidery in a bold floral design. 5 cm silk fringe.
Similar piece is in the Limerick Museum Ireland - described as Limerick Lace and crochet edges.