Honiton (East Devon) lace sprig

This floral spray is one of a series of naturalistic sprigs (lace motifs) said to have been designed and made by Louisa Tucker, a daughter of the Branscombe lace manufacturer John Tucker. These finely made pieces are naturalistic representations of wild and garden plants. They were made on a lace pillow using bobbins wound with fine cotton threads.
Here the lace is worked to represent Bleeding Heart (dicentra), a popular garden plant. The flowers and leaves are worked in wholestitch with small areas of halfstitch. Ribbed and rolled work has also been used to add a three-dimensional effect to the design.

John Tucker’s successful family business had an office in London run by his son. The firm had the distinction of supplying lace to HRH Princess Alexandra for her marriage to Albert Edward in 1863. Her wedding lace now forms part of the Royal Collections held by HM the Queen.

Object Summary

Accession Loan No.
19/1931/13
Category
Decorative Art
Collection Class
Textiles and equipment
Material
cotton
Common Name
Honiton (East Devon) lace sprig
Simple Name
lace sprig
Period Classification
Victorian (1837-1901)
Production Town
Branscombe
Production County
Devon
Production Country
United Kingdom: England
Production Person Initials
Louisa
Production Person Surname
Tucker
Production Year Low
1870
Production Year High
1880

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Honiton (East Devon) lace sprig