Sunday 26 July 2015

The Little White Shoebox

It sat on a side table, not on the large stand where all the desirable objects vied for customers. It looked tatty and very ordinary. Just a battered white shoebox. And then I saw the writing on the box, the magic word - DENTELLES -


Thats when my heart started beating faster and when I made a bee line for the stand, hoping for all those long seconds that there really would be some lace inside that little box.

And there was!

It took ages looking through the box to see what was hiding inside, and then negotiating with the stall holder, but in the end it was mine :-)

I found some gorgeous salesman samples in the box, with their original little labels, so special -




My favourite piece,  RESERVED for North America

Fabulous metallic lace -























The first layer in the box was pieces of the finest, daintiest Napoleon III era black lace, so very delicate and somewhat ravaged by time, but beautiful nonetheless -





Amongst the black lace was this beautiful black floral piece, perhaps for millinery -


And then there was the white/ecru/ivory lace ...








And that was not all, there were also many pieces of the most beautifully hand worked broderie anglaise, which I absolutely adore -







I can't imagine how anybody could produce such beautiful, neat, tiny stitches by candlelight. 

I hope you have enjoyed looking through the little white shoebox. Wishing you a beautiful new week wherever you are, toodlepip xxx

19 comments:

suziqu's thread works said...

Oh Liz
I've been looking forward to seeing these!
Laces to die for! They are all exquisite! Love everything but those broderie anglaise pieces are soooo beautiful as is the metallic and black lace.
I don't think we will be seeing them come out of that box very often! Enjoy!!!!
Love and lace hugs,
Suzy

Judys Lace Creations said...

Oh what treasures Liz!bet your heart was beating fast!!

Thelma said...

Such beautiful lace. I enjoyed looking through the box. What treasures to cherish. xo

Createology said...

I am swooning over your amazing find of such exquisite laces. High on Life July...

Lynn Stevens said...

Oh my gosh Liz. I'd be drooling all over that Gorgeous lace!!! What a Fabulous find!
now off to see what else you've been up to
Hugs Lynn

Doni said...

Liz, what a find!!!! You must have beamed with anticipation after purchasing that hoard of finery! All the way home, smiling and grinning, couldn't wait to dig into that box! Oh my, I'm just jealous. Finding something that fantastic is a dream! SO excited for you, and SO excited that you shared such gorgeous photos with us to dream about!
Blessings,
Doni

Andi's English Attic said...

It's just beautiful to look at. Thanks for posting. x

Elizabethd said...

What a treasure trove!

WinnibriggsHouse said...

Hi Liz, what a find. I some times come across old lace, though not French and not quite so exquisite, but don't buy it because I am never sure what to do with it. I could display it, would be a little afraid to cut it and use it, but just to keep it hidden away seems such a shame! What do you do. I appreciate that the most delicate stuff can't be used but what about those pieces that do seem ok. Jenny

Sandies' Patch said...

Woohoo! Would love to have seen it first lol!
Well done on purchasing it.xxx

Dorthe said...

SWOON, swoon, Liz, what a lucky girl you are , my dear.
So much in that little old torn box, I so relate to your hammering heart before reaching out and opening it up :-) It must have been so delightful a sign ,and a wonder for you to be able to bring all this beauty ,home with you.
I`m so happy for you, you found it .
How is your weather, there? here it is cold again ,gray, and with rain, -my daughter and grandkids are a week in Paris, and they also don`t have nice weather there, which I`m so sorry for ,as they needed a little sun !!
Well we all does !!
Dearest Liz, I wish you happy hours holding all your new treasures ,enjoying and admirering it all.
Hugs from Dorthe

Lesley UK said...

Oh Wow! That was true serendipidy. Blessinggs

Maggie said...

EXQUISITE! All of it!! Lucky, lucky you. Each piece is just so special. What an incredible find. I bet you are still pinching yourself...I would be!

Rhonda said...

Oh, you hit the jackpot LIZ!!! I'm drooling over here...so beautiful and those French little tags are to die for. Lucky Lucky Gal

Marrianna said...

SCORE!!!!! Need I say more? So envious of your treasures.

Hugs and I'll see you in Suzy's online class. So looking forward to what we all make. Yea for us!!!

Marrianna

Texture Trail said...

What a lovely box of treasures Liz! I have been drooling over the photos too!

Karen B. said...

Wow Liz,
what a treasure! Stunning is the word I am looking for. I am so happy for you that you were able to get your hands on this little shoebox.
Many hugs,
Karen B. ~ Todolwen

Angela said...

Oh my! you really hit the jackpot! every little piece is precious. I'm sure you can see a creation in every inch of those little beauties..
Hugs,
Angela.

alice k. said...

Lovely treasures indeed! But I hate to disappoint you - that cutwork lace (broderie anglaise) was probably not done by candle light, instead there was a nifty machine that could make just the look much faster. (We should really include lace into steampunk don't you think?!) Anyway, it was a Swiss invention in 1870's which quickly caught on.
Wiki knows it, too: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broderie_anglaise