Staal van zwarte machinale kant met een schulprand; met palmetpatroon c. 1900 - 1910

Gustav Schnitzler made this piece of machine-made black lace, featuring a scalloped edge and palmette pattern. The process of making lace is so interesting to me, because it's like drawing in thin air with thread. Looking closely, you can see how the heavy floral designs along the lower edge give way to a more delicate, almost scattered pattern towards the top. It's as if the solid ground transforms into something more dreamlike. The way the light filters through the mesh is beautiful, creating a sense of depth and shadow. I am reminded of the work of Anni Albers and her approach to weaving as a form of drawing or painting. The possibilities feel endless; each piece offering a new way to see and experience the world.