Lyn writes: "Devon, are you home, and can you give information on this aspect of lace in New York? " Ah, Spanier Arbeit, I know it well. At least I wish I did, because as Ita Aber, whom I have known for 40 years, says in her article, the construction of it is something of a secret. I even have the DVD that the Pomegranate Guild of Judaic Needlework produced about it, which I highly recommend. Ita Aber is the authority on this as far as I am concerned and her article sums up all I know about it, and more. I would say that not a year goes by that someone doesn't inquire about it at the museum. Some of it looks like bobbin lace done in metallic thread. But other examples I am unable to relate to bobbin lace. The Jewish Museum in Prague has quite a collection, and perhaps some time spent searching their on-line collection would be fruitful to those who want to know what it looks like. Unfortunately the name has many alternative spellings which makes it hard. The Jewish Museum in Prague has also published a catalogue with photos in it. I think that the OIDFA conference in Prague was able to see it, as an attendee was kind enough to send me the catalogue. I feel certain that the Jewish Museum in New York has some and probably also the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia. There does appear to be a set up of the "gorm" on display at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem which Ita had filmed in action. the thread hangs on spools that are suspended from a bar over the work, making it sort of the reverse of a typically lace pillow. I imagine that there is a reason for this relating to the properties of metal thread. It is difficult to fully understand how it is done, partially because those who can do it don't want it to be filmed due to considerations of secrets of the trade. Ita clearly would like to see the craft perpetuated and to see contemporary work done in it. Devon
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