Handkerchief

While most lace handkerchiefs consist of a woven fabric with a wide lace border, this example is made entirely of bobbin lace, a specialty of the Convent of Notre Dame de Visitation in Ghent. In 1852 Sister Marie-Joseph patented a new style of lace, now called Ghent Lace with Varied Ground, making it possible to employ workers of varying skill levels and to assemble large pieces quickly using motifs that could be prepared ahead of time.
The use of the royal monogram of King Leopold II and the repetition of the crown motif suggest that this handkerchief was made in celebration of his ascent to the throne in 1865. It may have been a presentation piece for his wife, Marie-Henriette, who was a patroness of both the convent and the Belgian lace industry.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Handkerchief
  • Maker: Convent of Notre Dame de Visitation
  • Date: ca. 1865
  • Culture: Belgian, Ghent
  • Medium: Cotton, bobbin lace
  • Dimensions: Overall (confirmed): 17 1/16 × 17 1/4 in. (43.3 × 43.8 cm)
  • Classification: Textiles-Laces
  • Credit Line: Gift of The Needle and Bobbin Club, 1924
  • Object Number: 24.238
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.