Vier stroken 17de-eeuws kant geproduceerd in Alençon, uit de collectie van het Kunstgewerbemuseum in Dresden 1888

These four strips of 17th-century lace, produced in Alençon, come from the collection of the Kunstgewerbemuseum in Dresden. Needle lace like this is made entirely by hand, using a needle and thread to build up complex patterns. In Alençon, France, the lace makers were renowned for their skill. Look closely, and you will see floral motifs in the fine mesh. The creation of lace was a painstaking, labor-intensive process that could take weeks or even months to complete a single piece. The cost of lace reflected this, making it a luxury item worn by the wealthy to display their status. This piece offers a glimpse into the complex relationship between craft, commerce, and social class in 17th-century Europe. It challenges our notions of art and labor, and reminds us of the human skill and effort embedded in every object.