Volant van applicatiekant met v-vormige takjes c. 1914

This is a length of needle lace, or 'application lace' made by Maison Sacré, though we don't know exactly when. Lace carries a history of skilled labor, often performed by women, within the confines of their homes or convents. Consider the labor-intensive process of lace making, each stitch a testament to patience and precision. Lace has historically been a marker of wealth, but the hands that crafted it often remained invisible. There is a tension between the delicate beauty of the lace and the often-invisible labor behind it. The V-shaped sprigs create patterns, hinting at nature, yet constrained within a formal design. It is a potent symbol of how society can shape nature and identity, dictating norms of beauty and value. Lace can be seen as a form of quiet resistance, or a subtle commentary on the social structures of its time, a whisper in the visual landscape.