REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1914. 53 



and especially the laces, using the best examples possible to obtain, to 

 stimulate and assist the handicraft workers of to-day. The object 

 sought is cultural advancement and not the satisfying of curiosity, 

 though one would not minimize or hinder the enjoyable effects which 

 the rich materials convey. Laces are among woman's chief con- 

 tributions to art, as lacework is an expression of art feeling quite as 

 much as a demonstration of skill in workmanship, and the striking 

 pieces are not only registers of achievements but serve equally well 

 as an inspirational influence in art education. 



While containing many articles permanently acquired, the collec- 

 tion consists principally of loans, mainly received from ladies of 

 Washington. That these deposits are steadily increasing, and the 

 withdrawals are few in comparison, would indicate not only that the 

 collection is constantly being strengthened but also that it may be 

 regarded as a permanent feature, especially in view of its many 

 earnest friends. Nevertheless, the conditions could be much im- 

 proved by the acquisition in perpetuity of at least the materials neces- 

 sary for a full systematic demonstration of the processes and history 

 of the industries concerned. These alone could not, however, be 

 expected to set forth the great range and wealth of accomplishment 

 in these several lines, and the Museum would still remain dependent 

 upon the same sources of supply which have produced the present 

 splendid exhibition. 



The collection of art textiles occupies the east north range, which 

 is situated immediately to the left of the main entrance of the build- 

 ing. Having a floor area of about 4,100 square feet and a height of 

 about 30 feet, the lighting is entirely from the north by means of 7 

 large windows. The furnishings comprise wall cases on two sides, 

 a large screen at the inner end, and 42 floor cases. The last men- 

 tioned are of several patterns, including the flat top, the low double 

 and single slope, and the high double slope, with 3 small Ken- 

 sington cases and 1 special case. The general arrangement of tho 

 floor cases is in three rows lengthwise of the range, with a main 

 passage starting at the entrance. In addition, there is a single row 

 against the w^all under the windows and another against the screen. 

 The laces are installed in 20 cases in the central and northern XDart 

 of the range, and may be briefly reviewed as f ollow^s : 



The early and conservative period of lace has some excellent illus- 

 trations, among which may be mentioned a large piece of Italian 

 drawn work altar cloth with masterly design, a rare sixteenth cen- 

 tury Italian Gothic altar scarf, an old Spanish drawn work, an 

 Italian seventeenth century drawn and cutwork piece, and other 

 examples combining embroidery, reticella, and filet. 



For the guidance of the student of the history of lace one case 

 has been installed with an Italian reticella towel, eighteenth century ; 



