Accessory set, ca. 1750, French. Linen. Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Designated Purchase Fund, 1981. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Accession Number: 2009.300.2195a–d. Resized by Constance Zhou.
This is a 18th century French lace headwear set with all four components – a curved panel, the cap back,and two long streamers called lappets. It is rare to find a complete piece of 18th century French lace headwear since most of them were cut into different sections later in the period. The preservation of this piece is probably because it was passed from generation to generation as a precious legacy. The lappets might be pinned up on top of the head in pleats, but more usually were left to hang loose, fluttering with the slightest movement.
Lappet, ca. 1730-1739, French. Linen. Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Robert B. Woodward, 1915. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Accession Number:2009.300.1653a, b. Resized by Constance Zhou.
The lyrical design of fanciful imaginary flowers set within the delicate reseau (ground) is beautifully rendered. There are mirror image symmetry of the motifs on each side of lappets, probably because these lappets cut from a single length. That is why most now existing lappets are disconnected from their original connecting ruffle. Fine pieces of lace were often reconfigured from their original forms as they passed from one generation to another. The intricacy and high quality of lace is here marked by the dynamic pattern and fillings and the compelling movement of the design.
Lappet, ca. 1750-70, French. Linen. Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Mrs. Morris Hawkes, 1945. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.Accession Number:2009.300.1795. Resized by Constance Zhou.
Lappet, ca. 1740-60, French. Linen. Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Antoinette Graves Goetz and Marie Graves Bullock in memory of their mother, Florence Christmas Eno Grave, and of their grandmother, Harriet Ch. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.Accession Number:2009.300.2095. Resized by Constance Zhou.
Lappet, ca. 1740-70, European. Linen. Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of the executors of the estate of Clara M. Blum in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Blum, 1966. Metropolitan Museum of Art.Accession Number:2009.300.2057. Resized by Constance Zhou.