104

HISTORY OF LACE.

employ the workers and all the town witli lace. Though they gainbut two-pence halfpenny daily, it is a good worker who will finisha Flemish yard (28 inches) in a fortnight.”

Mechlin is essentially a summer lace, not becoming in itself,but charming when worn over colour (Fig. 53). It found greatfavour at the court of the Regent, as the inventories of the periodattest. Much of this lace, judging from these accounts, was madein the style of the modern insertion, with an edging on both sides,

Fig. 54.

Mechlin. Formerly belonging to Queen Charlotte. End of eighteenth century.

“ cam pane, ’ and, being light in texture, was well adapted for thegathered trimmings, later termed “ quilles,” 46 now better knownas “plisses a la vieille.” 47 Mechlin can never have been used as a‘‘dentelle de grande toilette;” it served for coiffures de nuit,garnitures de corset, ruffles, and cravats. 48

*“ “ On cliamarre les jupes en quilles brode'e a raizeau campanc'e, un tour dede dentelles plisse'es.” —Mercure Galant, gorge, et une garniture de corset.”— Inv.1078. de Mademoiselle de Clermont.

‘‘Un volant dentelle d’Angleterre “1761. Une paire de manches doplisse'e. ’— Extraordinaire du Mercure, Malines bride's non oarapane'e, tour deQuartier d'Este, 1678. gorge, et garniture de corset.”—/no. de

“ “ 1741. Une coift’ure do nuit de Ma- la Duchesse de Mndene.lines h raizeau campane'e de deux pieces. •* “ 1720. Une garniture de teste a“Une paire de manches de Malines trois pieces de dentelle <le Malines a bride.