photo thanks to Ann Kovalchick

Design similar to Duchesse and Bruges with the major difference of a very heavy outline cord. (see above)

History

According to history, in the 17th century, the Dukes of Lorraine made instrument makers and lace makers come from Italy to Mirecourt where they came with their Court to spend part of the year in the Château de Ravenel. It was the time when the Queens of France, of Italian origin, made it fashionable to wear lace.
Lace was taught by nuns from the convent of the Soeurs de Notre Dame: they created lace schools in their convent, or at the orphanage of the hospital, and little girls were taught from the age of 5 or 6.
Soon the number of lace makers increased: instrument makers’ wives or peasants after their hard working days. By the end of the 17th century, a number of needlework schools opened in the town. Young women of good social standing learnt lace making to decorate their trousseau: according to documents, some drapers from Nancy sent their daughters as apprentices to Mirecourt where they were taught the art of lace.
In the 1860s, there were 25 000 lace makers in the area of Mirecourt: they sold their production to peddlers who exported them to Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Spain, or even sold it to lace making masters.
At that time, in Mirecourt itself, there were 600 lace makers - that was 10% of the population then; all of them were either instrument makers’ wives or daughters. (75% of the marriages were between lace makers and instrument makers!)
In connection with lace making, there were lots of other jobs, such as designers, “prickers”, sewers, traders…The whole population in the area worked either for the making of instruments or lace!
Like in most lace making centres in Europe, wars, changes in fashion, machine - made laces caused the decline of this prosperous centre. Old lace makers tried to pass on their knowledge to the young generation, but very few were interested in learning any more. M. Armand, was one of the last designer -“prickers” who worked until 1985.

In 1981, a group of passionate ladies from Mirecourt created the Association Pour le Renouveau et la Promotion de la Dentelle to save the art from oblivion.

Type of lace

The lace made in Mirecourt throughout the ages was varied: from the simple inserts of the 17th century, to floral lace in the 19th century, black silk lace, figures, leaves… applications of flowers and leaves on fine tulle (called Point des Vosges), “Russian lace” (a tape lace with 16 bobbins), Cluny, “Arab lace” (arabesques in thick natural linen with a gimp underlining the design), which was used to decorate curtains or tablecloths or doilies.

Lace from Mirecourt was sold all over Europe and the world: it was renowned for its whiteness, the quality of its execution and also for its designs.
 

     Report written by Josette Martin (01/2003)

 

Museum:
Ass. Promotion et Renouveau de la Dentelle
         1bis, Place Chantaire
           88500 MIRECOURT

Links:

Mirecourt -La Masion de la Dentelle
tools of collection du Père Noël