^26 



THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



flower or ornament, which resembles linen, and is often made of linen 

 thread. The terms /ow(Z and champ are also applied to it. 



The ornamental pattern is sometimes made with the ground as n 

 Fig. 3, or separately, and then worked in or sewed on {cqopliqiie), Fig. 4. 

 The open-work stitches seen in the pattern are called modes, jours, or 

 " fillings." 



All lace has two edges, the " footing," a narrow lace which serves 

 to keep the stitches of the ground firm that it may be sewed to the gar- 

 ment upon which it is to be worn (Fig. 3) ; and the " pearl," picot, 

 couromie, a row of little points or loops at equal distances at the free 

 edsre as shown in the figures. 



The manufacture of point-lace was brought to the highest perfec- 

 tion by the Venetians as early as the sixteenth century. The pattern- 



FiG. 3. Valenciennes lace op Ypkes. 



books of that time contain examples of more than a hundred varieties 

 of this costly lace. Some of these points were world-renowned for 

 their fineness and exquisite beauty. Point de Venice, en relief, is the 

 richest and most complicated of all laces. It is so strong, with its 

 tiers upon tiers of stitches, that some of it has lasted for centuries. 

 All the outlines are in high-relief, and innumerable benutiful stitches 

 are introduced into the flowers. Italian influence under the Valois 

 and Medicis spread the fashion for rich laces, and the Venetian points 

 were in great demand in foreign countries, particularly in France. 

 The exportation of costly laces was a source of great ivealth to Venice. 

 The making of lace was universal in every household, and the secret 

 of the manufacture of her finest points she jealously guarded. Al- 

 though both point and pillow lace were made at this time in all the 

 leading countries of Europe, Flanders was the only rival of Italy in 

 the markets of the world. 



