Tussenzetsel, gebroken wit, met een golvende lijn en rose bloemen c. 1920

This bobbin lace with a broken white ground, a wavy line and pink flowers was made by Gustav Schnitzler. Lace, throughout its history, speaks volumes about gender, class, and labor. Before industrialization, lace making was often a domestic, female occupation. The creation of lace, particularly fine pieces like this, was incredibly labor-intensive. It provided income, but at a cost: it was tied to long hours and the constraints of domestic life. The value placed on this lace reflects the social structures that both relied on and undervalued women’s work. The delicate pink flowers against the woven pattern suggest a desire for beauty and refinement, but also speak to the hidden stories of women whose lives were dedicated to its creation.