Antique 25pc Italian Milanese Bobbin Lace Placemat Set

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Antique 25pc Italian Milanese Bobbin Lace Placemat Set

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Sold Date: 11/19/2007
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Textiles, Clothing & Accessories

Amazing25-piece Handdone Italian Milanese Bobbin Lace

Placemats, Napkins & Runner Set

Antique Flax Linen Lace, RARE Setting for 12, The Best of Turn-of-the-Century Milan

A wonder of Italian antique handwork, this 100+ years old Milanese bobbin lace will add unbeatable elegance to your holiday table. A rich, light backdrop to patinaed sterling and fine bone china. A rare set of 25 pieces, this warm cream-colored set includes a runner (44 by 14 inches), 12 placemats (15 by 10 inches each) and 12 very fine linen with lace edges napkins (17 inches square). These are entirely hand done flax linen lace made in Milan.

These have been professionally appraised with a fully documented report by museum appraiser Kate Henry. A copy of the appraisal and report will be included for the winning bidder.

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From the report: "Handmade Italian Milanese Bobbin Lace. The production date is likely close to 1900. Beautiful rolled and overcast hems. BEST finishing I've seen on tablelinens. The brides and joins are bobbin made, not needle. The fillings are needle meshes. The lace is slightly scrunched by use or washing, but t are no folds and no gathers."

( Details on Kate Henry are included below.)

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These may also be D. Porthault . An inheritor told me they were, but didn't think I had enough authentication until I found a Porthault Italian lace edged napkin on page 177 (photo bottom page center) of Bonneville's Book of Fine Linen with the identical finish work between the lace and the fine linen that Kate Henry referenced in her appraisal. So take that for what it's worth, not a guarantee. (This paragraph added Nov. 14)

The condition of these is excellent. They are, as the appraisal says, slightly scrunched and will need either a touch-up pressing or a cleaning. T are two faint stains (shown in pictures). I counted 21 broken brides in the entire set, but can't guarantee t aren't a couple more I missed. None of the brides are missing, just detached and can easily be reattached. Because of the intricacy of the work, they are not detrimental to the look. The napkins are slightly soiled from storage, but the linen is excellent with no holes, tears or stains. These are being sold as-found. They were part of a trousseau from an old St. Louis family. The reserve on these is well below the appraised value and does not take into consideration the later added paragraph on the D. Porthault possibility.

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Kate Henry has been a bobbin lacemaker for 40+ years and is a 35-year member of the International Old Lacers Guild, and listed as lace teacher with them and the US based Belgian Lace School. She has studied lace making with Doris Southard and Geraldine Stott (English Buckinghamshire); Yvonne Scheele-Kerkhof (English Bedfordshire); Gunvor Jorgensen (Danish Tonder); Edith Starink and Robin Lewis Wild (Drafting Flanders); Ulrike Loehr (Flanders Blonde, Chantilly, Mechlin, Mechlin Drafting, Belgian Binche,and Lace Design) and with many more famous lace makers and teachers. She served in the textiles/lace department of the University of Illinois at Champaign. She formerly held classes at the Champaign County Historical Museum and teaches now in her own studio. She identifies and appraises antique laces collectors and museums

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At the risk of repeating myself, as it is stated below, handling time can be two working days. I launder and press most of my items just before shipping to assure no odors ~ odors that may have transferred from newly acquired, unwashed linens ~ are included and to provide buyers with the best possible product. Same-day shipping can be arranged if notified by email

Thanksgiving shipping

If this has a bid by Sunday morning, it will be freshly laundered and ready to mail Monday morning and could arrive by Thanksgiving. Overnight shipping can be arranged. Last minute bids will delay that proce...