So why is there a  lace called Cluny then??? by Jossette

There are two possible explanations given in a book called "Modeles de Dentelle au Fuseau, Cluny", by Mick Fouriscot and Mylene Salvador (Editions Carpentier) ISBN 2-84167-008-2
either:
1- this type of lace is derived from an ancient type, the "guipure".  Some people said that this "guipure" ressembled the rose windows of this magnificent abbey of Cluny. Consequently, it was called Cluny or :
2-  the name was given during the 19th century by lace making people from Le Puy en Velay who visited an exhibition on old laces at the Hotel de Cluny, ( then become a museum) in Paris. Among them  were old Italian laces from Milan (16th cent.) and Genoa  (17th cent.) with a special long
forgotten stitch, the "oval shaped point d'esprit". Then, they decided to adopt the stitch and the name of the museum for commercial purposes.

The second explanation is more commonly accepted.

The centres for the production of this "Cluny" lace were:

Le Puy, Brioude, Retournac, Arlanc, Yssingeaux, etc..and thousands of
villages and hamlets in the area around  Le Puy which worked as a centre for
lace making.

I suggest another superb book about Odette Arpin's work: "Cluny de
Brioude"Odette Arpin, Mick Fouriscot, Editions Carpentier, ISBN
2-84167-090-2
The title itself  proves it is a stitch not a city.
For us Odette Arpin is the Queen of Cluny, as she works it perfectly!

Lacemakers:
 

Pillow lace worker making Cluny lace. The carved wooden bobbins  are weighted at the bottoms in order to pull the threads taut.

Lace:

Places of Intrest:

Links:

Webpage on Cluny
http://www.refalo.com/bobbinlace/cluny.html
Cluny Bobbin Lace Sample
Lace Course for Cluny Lace
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/aplimouzin/cluny/index.htm