I am currently reading a novel titled The Lacemaker by Janine Montupet (1984) translated into English by Lowell Bair (1988). It takes place in the second half of the seventeenth century in Alençon, France and concerns the life and loves of a lace maker. There are lots of references to methods and the general life of a lace maker including the apprentice programs. The lace made by the main character is a needle lace, but there are occasional references to bobbin lace which appears to be an inferior product at that time. Though there is the usual disclaimer about accuracy at the beginning of the book, the historical settings appear to be reasonably accurate. I havent finished the book yet, but I am enjoying the historical setting and all the lace references.
Anita Okrend Silver Spring MD USA -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of pene piip Sent: Thursday, August 06, 2009 9:43 AM To: Arachne Arachne Subject: [lace] Lace in Literature Last year DH & I watched the TV Mini-series titled "Casanova" which stars David Tennant & Peter O'Toole as the lead character. I was intrigued about his memoirs & found that the Tartu Public Library had all 6 books as English translations by Arthur Machen. Since discovering these big books I've been reading them (to DH at bedtime) & I am reading Volume 4 at present. In Chapter XVII on page 464, I read this passage: "Agatha had no dress that was good enough, so I charged Madame Dupré to provide one at my expense, and I was well served. It is well known that when this sort of people dip their fingers into other people's purses they are not sparing, but that was just what I wanted. Agatha promised to dance all the quadrilles with me, and to return to Turin with Madame Dupré. On the day fixed for the ball I stayed to dinner at the Dupré's to be present at Agatha's toilette. Her dress was a rich and newly-made Lyon silk, and the trimming was an exquisite Alençon point lace, of which the girl did not know the value. Madame R------, who had arranged the dress, and Madame Dupré, had received instructions to say nothing about it to her." I've come across other references to lace in previous volumes but this was the first time the type of lace was mentioned. Pene in Tartu, Estonia - 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]
