The
intricate lace patterns in Belgium are unmatched
in any other country. The lace trade rose during
the early Renaissance. Emperor Charles V decreed
that lace-making should be a compulsory skill
for girls in convents and beguinages throughout
Flanders. Lace became fashionable on collars and
cuffs for both sexes. Trade reached a peak in
the 18th century.
Lace makers are traditionally
women. Hundreds of craftswomen still work in Bruges
and Brussels, centers of bobbin lace, creating
intricate work by hand, often using over 100 threads
per bobbin. Belgian lace is bought today mainly
as a souvenir, but despite the rise in machine-made
lace from other countries, the quality here still
remains as fine as it was in the renaissance.
Lace
also has its place in museums. Situated close
to the Grand Place, the Musee du Costume et de
la Dentelle (Museum of Costume & Lace) has
a permanent collection of fine lace. Displayed
in subdued lighting and safely laid out in drawers,
this beautiful collection contains pieces made
on the spindle and with needles, not only from
Brussels but also from France and Italy. The bourgeois
costumes the lace was made for are also on show
in thematic exhibits.
Lace Links
Belgian
Lace General information and outlets for famous
Belgian lace.
Lace.be
The
history of lace and the different types
of lace.
Learn how to make your own traditional lace to take home with you! A Belgian teacher gives private lace-lessons in atypical Bruges house. A half day lesson is 60 Euro per person.
