Honiton (East Devon) lace sprig
This little insect has been worked in East Devon bobbin lace on a pillow, using traditional techniques and stitches. The wings of the fly are worked in wholestitch and ribbed to give a three-dimensional effect. The head and legs are worked in rib, and the body has a filling of leadworks known as ‘brick’ backed with wholestitch. The fly is one of the smallest 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 and insects. They were made on a lace pillow using bobbins wound with fine cotton threads.
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.
- 19/1931/15
- 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
