Keepers’ Corner this week brings you a beautiful lace neck filling made to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887. Look closely at the motifs – can you see a crown and the year?
The neck filling is part of the Museum’s Lady Liberty Collection. Emma Liberty and her husband Sir Arthur Lasenby Liberty (of London shop fame) lived at The Lee in Bucks. Emma was involved with the North Bucks Lace Association in the late 19th century, and she collected many examples of historical hand-made lace. About 50 pieces from her personal collection are now at the Museum, including this neck filling.
The type of lace is known as Honiton guipure, after the Devon town where the style originated. Guipure refers to the way the lace is made, where the motifs are made separately and joined together by thread bars.
Here at the Museum, we have a wonderful team of volunteers who do all sorts of jobs. One of our volunteers has been beavering away over recent months mounting Lady Liberty’s collection onto new, bold-coloured panels to improve visibility and access. Look what a difference it makes!
Lace neck filling (AYBCM : 1967.99.1)
