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 4,400 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 the 
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 wall under the windows and another against the screen. 
The laces are installed in 26 cases in the central and northern part 
of the range, and may be briefly reviewed as follows: 
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 Italan 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 ; 
