Success Story

Over the past decade, there has been a resurgence of interest in old handmade lace, particularly from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, noted Julie Collier, head of the textile department at Christie’s East. Establishments like Rubicon, a shop on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, specialize in creating custom-made special-occasion dresses that incorporate antique lace. The revival of interest is attributed to a surge of Americanism, where European lace, when incorporated into designs, imparts an early-American feeling, adding a personal touch to dresses. Collectors, such as Patsy Carter and Barbara and Robert Tiffany, integrate lace into their wardrobes or display it as art. Various methods, including needle lace and bobbin lace, have evolved over a 500-year period in Western Europe, with lace primarily reserved for the wealthier classes. Today, restoration and conservation of lace often require the expertise of specialists like Bryce Reveley. Home care recommendations include using Orvus WA paste, a nondetergent cleaner for old textiles, and keeping lace wrapped in unbleached muslin or acid-free tissue paper for proper storage. Michael Auclair advises caution in purchasing old lace, emphasizing the potential cost of restoration exceeding the piece’s value.