In two images below, there are decoration that encase the area of torso. Layers of quilted linen on the left, though airy and light, is not as ostentatious as the peignoir that is richly trimmed by lace. The use of delicate lace adds both magnificent visual effect and actual value to the dress.
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Composite Robe à l’Anglaise (ca. 1785-87) and image of Madame de Pompadour (ca. 1750). This image shows the comparison between a lace-trimmed peignoir and a quilted linen around torso without any lace decoration. Image maps allow user to see the high resolution details in pop-up windows. Robe à l’Anglaise, 1785-87, French. Purchase, Irene Lewisohn Bequest, 1966. Metropolitan Museum of Art. François Boucher, Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson, Marquise de Pompadour (ca.1750), Fogg Museum, Bequest of Charles E. Dunlap. Composition of two images, image maps and image map areas by Constance Zhou.
Lace trimmings and borders were usually designed in repetitve patterns. Below are some examples of lace borders from Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. From these examples, we can see the distinctively different design between French and Italian lace border and between 18th century and 17th century. 18th century French lace borders are more airy, light and transparent, and therefore acquire more advanced technique. Overall, the intricacy of lace is elaborated in these trimmings and borders.
Border, late 18th century. French, needle lace border. Dimensions: L. 66 x W. 3 inches 167.6 x 7.6 cm. Textiles-Laces. Bequest of Emma T. Gary, 1937. Metropolitan Museum of Art. Accession Number:37.20.271.
Border, 18th century, French, Needle lace. Dimensions: L. 93 x W. 2 1/2 inches 236.2 x 6.4 cm. Textiles-Laces. Bequest of Emma T. Gary, 1937. Metropolitan Museum of Art. Accession Number:37.20.254.
Border, 17th century. Italian, needle lace. Dimensions: L. 167 1/2 x W. 9 1/4 inches (425.5 x 23.5 cm). Textiles-Laces. Gift of Ann Payne Blumenthal, 1936. Metropolitan Museum of Art. Accession Number:36.130.2.
Gros point needle lace border, third quarter 17th century. Italian, Needle lace. Dimensions: L. 120 1/2 x W. 8 inches 306.1 x 20.3 cm. Textiles-Laces. The Mabel Metcalf Fahnestock Collection, the gift of Ruth Fahnestock Schermerhorn and Faith Fahnestock, 1933. Metropolitan Museum of Art. Accession Number:33.90.35.
Border, 17th century. Italian, textiles- laces.Dimensions: L. 150 x W. 13 inches 381.0 x 33.0 cm. Textiles-Laces. The Mabel Metcalf Fahnestock Collection, the Gift of Ruth Fahnestock Schermerhorn and Faith Fahnestock, 1933. Metropolitan Museum of Art. Accession Number:33.90.18.