I can't resist throwing in my pennyworth. If we assume that the seller assumes (like a lot of non-lacemakers) that mentioning Nottingham assures us of its authenticity - even though we know better - then we can probably also assume he/she is thinking of Midlands lace.
Now although I can believe that the Spanish style bolsters (which if I read Jeri's post correctly were used vertically in a similar way to a Maltese pillow) are used sitting on a low stool, the horizontally orientated Midlands bolster was normally used in conjunction with a pillow horse and I don't ever remember reading about or seeing one of those with short legs. I also don't remember seeing many low stools in museum recreations of any type of 18th century English cottages. I would have thought they would sit on the same chair they used for everything else if possible, for reasons of both economy and lack of space. It's unlikely to be a milking stool as they have three legs so however uneven the ground is, it will stand firm. Not level maybe, but steady. Although I appreciate that photos are a lot later than the claimed date of the stool, in those the children always appear almost dwarfed by the pillow/horse set up so there seems to be no reason to suppose that this stool was for a child lace maker. With regard to the ability (and agility) to get up and down off a low stool; this depends on the custom of the community. Where it is normal to sit cross legged, the majority of the population continues to sit cross legged into old age. The use of the low stool described by Jeri with "her feet are pulled way back under her" reminds me of the position suggested by Jacqui Carey for making Japanese Kumihimo braids. Traditionally made in a kneeling position, uncomfortable to most westerners, she suggests the use of a tiny stool or fat cushion to support your btm to lessen the strain on the knees. Very few of the people I have shared classes with can even manage this in comfort for very long and instead sit or even stand. Has anyone written to ask the seller why they think it is a lacemaker's stool? Or perhaps we should blame the Millers guide - as that seems to be where they have got their ideas from. Jacquie - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
