These frothy confections in this hall of wonders whisper the names of their origins, creating an atlas of textile art like no other in existence. Creamy white baby’s bonnets, filigreed edgings for handkerchiefs, netted coverlets and snowy white altar coverings display the living splendor of centuries-old techniques, as well as the prestige and signatures of their regions. Names like Nottingham, Limerick, Carrickmacross, and Hamilton described these twirled and appliqued varieties of laces in a single word to the well-to-do woman of the times. Gathered by the buyers of the large, Gothic warehouses and salesrooms of the Nottingham Lace Market quarter, these precious webs and hearts were sold to the wealthy of Britain piece by piece for more money than the creators themselves saw in their lifetimes.
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