Strook dubbelzijdig geschulpte zwarte machinale kant, op karton c. 1925

Editor: Here we have a piece called "Strook dubbelzijdig geschulpte zwarte machinale kant, op karton," roughly translated to "Strip of Double-Sided Scalloped Black Machine Lace, on Cardboard," made around 1925. It seems simple enough, a black lace trim presented on card, but I am curious, what story can we unpick from its making? Curator: Precisely! Consider the 'machine-made' aspect. Mass production impacted the traditional craft of lace making, didn't it? Editor: It must have, yes. Where handmade lace was once prized, now this... ubiquitous material appeared. But was it devalued? Curator: Think about access. Machine lace made embellishment affordable, shifting its role in social status. A wider population now had access to fashionable trimmings. What implications might that have had on fashion? Editor: So, democratization through manufacturing. It challenges our preconceptions of value, doesn't it? Handmade implies superior quality and the human touch, versus the perceived coldness of machine production. This lace blurs that line. How much should the method of creation affect value in the long run? Curator: An interesting question. How does the card impact your view? Editor: Well, it frames it, preserves it, and elevates this everyday item. The backing card highlights its design. I wonder if this presentation method affects how it was seen then, maybe intended as a sample? Curator: Exactly. It asks us to look at design, and production and social availability – not just 'beauty' or 'skill.' We tend to ignore the economic underpinnings of even what seems to be the most decorative arts. Editor: I see what you mean. It really does make me reconsider how seemingly simple objects carry histories of labor and shifts in society, technology, and material accessibility.