I would have thought the leather "apron" was to go over the pillow (like a cover cloth) to prevent the bobbins/threads catching on the edges of the pricking. Or perhaps it's used to fasten the top of the bolster to the stand?
The shelf wouldn't be big enough to sit the whole pilow on, but it would be enough to support the back end of the bolster while the lacemaker sat with the other end on her lap. (Like some of the continental lacemakers prop their bolsters against a wall). Anyone with a bit of knowledge about antique lacemaking equipment have any idea how it was used and where it might have originated? Beth In Cheshire, NW England VINTAGE LACE MAKERS STAND > > Description: > > Solid wood bottom weighted stand and pillow shelf. Leather lace apron. > Used for a bolster pillow, > > Size: 36" high. Shelf 8" x 7" Apron 14" x 11.5" > > I haven't heard of lacemakers wearing a leather apron, but I could be wrong > of course, and I wouldn't have thought an 8 x 7 shelf would be big enough > to hold a bolster pillow. > > Item number: 290234882216 > > http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ANTIQUE-LACE-MAKERS-STAND_W0QQitemZ290234882216QQihZ0 >19QQcategoryZ19158QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem > > tinied: http://tinyurl.com/5l9dg4 > > Jean in Poole, Dorset, UK > > - > To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: > unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to > [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
