In a message dated 7/12/2005 2:33:42 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Is there such a thing? Jean asks in reference to affordable hand made lace. I think so, and it is antique lace. Whereas lace made today is judged against a standard of how much money it takes to sustain a human life during the time it takes to make it, lace made in years past is judged against the standard of how desirable it is as opposed to other second hand goods without reference to how long it took to make it. At the moment, lace is not particularly desirable. In March, Whitaker auction sold a "lot" of three pieces of lace. "One a 22" x 3 1/3 yard piece of cream Brussels lace appliqued on net (one brown spot), excellent. One antique white 14" x 3 yards Milanese bobbin lace, excellent. One 5" x 3 yards early 19th century Cream Mechlin bobbin lace, perfect," for $400. Thus 9 1/2 yards of lace of varying widths was sold for roughly $40 a yard. How long would it take to make a yard of lace? Would a hundred hours be a correct estimate? Perhaps two hundred hours would be closer. If so, you are buying it for 20 cents an hour. These are not simple laces either. In many cases, dealers do not know the difference between antique handmade and antique machine made lace and so price them the same on the basis of condition and design. Of course, if people can't tell the difference, should there be any reason to value handmade lace higher? Devon in New Jersey - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
