Honiton East Devon lace sprig

This lace motif represents the flower of a well known tree, often found in Victorian gardens. The spray of laburnum is worked in East Devon bobbin lace. All sections of the spray use a raised technique with the flowers worked in both whole and half stitch. This 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.

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. The textile collection at RAMM preserves the wedding dress worn by Louisa’s sister Mary, as well as her comparatively simple veil designed and made by the family firm.

Object Summary

Accession Loan No.
19/1931/6
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 Date
c 1870
Production Person Initials
Louisa
Production Person Surname
Tucker
Production Year Low
1870
Production Year High
1880

View Full Details

Honiton (East Devon) lace sprig