Honiton (East Devon) lace sprig

This is an example of East Devon (Honiton) lace, commonly known as a sprig. By the middle of the nineteenth century lace-makers were producing individual sprigs or motifs which were then joined or ‘sewed’ together with bobbins, or could be stitched to a net ground which was usually machine made. As technology for spinning stronger and smoother cotton yarns improved, more and more lace was made with cotton threads rather than linen. The lace motifs were constructed on a pillow using bobbins wound with thread, woven around pins following a pattern known as a pricking. The same technique is still used in East Devon lace-making today.

The sprigs often depict well-known garden or wild flowers, but this sample represents grapes on the vine. It was probably intended for an ecclesiastical piece. The maker has used several traditional East Devon techniques. The rib stem has raised leaves. The vine is also raised with one side having a purl edge. The grapes and scroll are flat work with a ‘straight pin’ filling.