Venetian lace dress piece, unknown maker from Italy

Artwork Overview

Venetian lace dress piece
Venetian lace dress piece
Venetian lace dress piece
1910
Venetian lace dress piece , 1910
Where object was made: Venice, Italy
Material/technique: lace
Dimensions:
Object Length/Width (Length x Width): a 168 x 74 cm
Object Length/Width (Length x Width): 29 1/8 x 66 1/8 in
Credit line: William Bridges Thayer Memorial
Accession number: 1928.0070.a
Not on display
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Collection Cards: Collect

Why is this dress in five pieces? Once described by Sallie Casey Thayer as her “most economical frock,” Thayer had this lace dress remade each year to suit current fashion trends. Thayer was a consumer of lace like many women of her time. However, she was also an informed collector and educated herself on the history, materials, and production of lace by reading books and visiting exhibitions. In addition to being part of Thayer’s wardrobe, this dress is a fine specimen of Venetian needle lace from the late 19th and early 20th century. The lace is handmade and the scrolling floral motif is constructed using detached button-hole stitches.

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Exhibitions

Teaching Gallery: History of Textiles
2010