Cap crown

mid-18th century

Not on view

This cap crown is unusual for its depiction of a character from classical mythology—Orpheus, playing his lyre to charm the birds and animals around him. This type of bobbin lace is called Mechlin, so named for the town where it was made. It is a straight lace, meaning the motifs are made at the same time as the background mesh (in this case, hexagonal), with a thicker thread of shiny linen defining the motifs. This piece was made in three lengths, each using more than five hundred thread-wound bobbins. The strips are cleverly joined in an irregular path around motifs, avoiding joins in the mesh, which are hard to conceal. Strips of straight lace are only limited in width by the number of bobbins that can fit on a lace pillow.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Cap crown
Date: mid-18th century
Culture: Flemish
Medium: Linen, bobbin lace (Mechlin)
Dimensions: Overall (confirmed): 8 13/16 × 9 1/4 in. (22.4 × 23.5 cm)
Classification: Textiles-Laces
Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Edward S. Harkness, 1930
Object Number: 30.135.130
Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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Seasons and Elements (Fire) (set of four), Charles Le Brun French, Canvas; silk, wool, and metal-thread embroidery in tent stitch (316 stitches per sq. inch, 49 per sq. cm.), French, Paris — Seasons and Elements (Fire) (set of four)
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Seasons and Elements (Spring) (set of four), Charles Le Brun French, Canvas; silk, wool, and metal-thread embroidery in tent stitch (316 stitches per sq. inch, 49 per sq. cm.), French, Paris — Seasons and Elements (Spring) (set of four)
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