NEW YORK: F. A. STOKES COMPANY

* * * * *

[Illustration: Mary Sidney, Countess of Pembroke.]

MARY SIDNEY, COUNTESS OF PEMBROKE.

Born about 1555. Died 1621.
Buried at Salisbury Cathedral.
Painted probably by MARC GHEERAEDTS.

"Underneath this sable hearse
Lies the subject of all verse.
Sidney's sister, Pembroke's mother.
Death! ere thou hast slain another
Fair and learn'd and good as she,
Time shall throw a dart at thee!"

CHATS ON OLD LACE AND NEEDLEWORK

by

MRS. LOWES

With 76 Illustrations

London
T. Fisher Unwin, Ltd.
Adelphi Terrace

First Impression 1908
Second Impression 1912
Third Impression 1919

[All rights reserved.]

PREFACE

This little book has been compiled to emphasise and accentuate the
distinct awakening of English women and Needlecraft Artists to the
beauty of the ancient laces and embroideries which we own in the
magnificent historic collections in our great public Museums.

We are fortunate in possessing in the Victoria and Albert Museum
monumental specimens of both lace and needlework. Among the sumptuous
lace collection there are most perfect specimens of the art of
lace-making, and priceless pieces of historic embroidery made when
England was first and foremost in the world in the production of
Ecclesiastical embroidery.

The lace collection particularly, without compare, is illustrative of
all that is best in this delightful art, being specially rich in
magnificent pieces that can never be again obtained. These have mostly
been given, or left as legacies, to the Museum by collectors and
enthusiasts who have made this fascinating hobby the quest of their
lives. In addition to the collection formed by the generosity of the
donors, the authorities have exercised a very catholic judgment in
selecting the choicest and most illustrative examples of the
lace-maker's craft.

In the section devoted to embroideries, more particularly English (as it
is with our own country's needlework I propose to deal), nothing more
glorious in the Nation's art records can be found than the masterpieces
of embroidery worked by the great ladies, the abbesses and nuns of the
Mediaeval period. In almost every other branch of art England has been
equalled, if not excelled, by Continental craftsmen; but in this one
instance, up to the Reformation, English work was sought after far and
wide, a