Honiton (East Devon) lace sprig
This tiny snail made entirely from bobbin lace is part of a collection of naturalistic sprigs (lace motifs) said to have been designed and made by Louisa Tucker, a daughter of the Branscombe lace manufacturer John Tucker. They were made on a lace pillow using bobbins wound with fine cotton threads. The snail shell is worked in wholestitch and its body in halfstitch, techniques characteristic of East Devon bobbin lace. Some areas are ribbed and rolled to give a three-dimensional effect to the little garden creature.
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.
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.
- 19/1931/14
- Category
- Decorative Art
- Collection Class
- Textiles and equipment
- Material
- cotton
- Common Name
- Honiton (East Devon) lace sprig
- Simple Name
- lace sprig
- 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
