Historical information

These doilies were made by Kallista woman, Beryl Collett (1925-2018) and form part of a large and varied body of work by or about Beryl which is held by the Museum. Beryl created lacework in the earlier part of her life using her Duchess Lace Maker which is also in the Museum. Doilies were popular from Victorian times to the mid-20th century and were used to cover glasses and bowls or underneath functional or decorative objects. The Dandenongs have been the chosen home of many creative people who, like Beryl, have found inspiration in the natural beauty of the area. Much of this work was created by Beryl following her retirement from her accountancy job in 1980 and so epitomises the potential of the retirement phase of people's lives.

Significance

Doilies are symbols of the creativity and care that women have, through history, bestowed on the sphere available, their homes.

Physical description

Two square lace doilies mounted on cards - one on blue card and one on brown card.

Inscriptions & markings

No inscription on VEMU2108.1
On the back of VEMU2108.2 is a sticker on which is printed:
'COMPETITION / Section.....8C / Branch No.....Y / Member's No.....67'