Needlepoint Lace Lappet

Cleveland Museum of Art

The Needlepoint Lace Lappet by an unknown artist is a long, narrow piece of lace with a rounded end on the left side and a more straight edge on the right side. The lace is primarily white with a subtle sheen, possibly indicating it's made from linen or cotton thread. The lace features a repeating pattern of small flowers and leaves across its surface. The flowers have five petals and are scattered randomly across the lace, accompanied by leaves that are usually single and small. The edges of the lace are finished with a decorative border consisting of small loops and scallops. The background of the image is black, which contrasts with the white lace, making the details of the lace clearly visible. The overall shape of the lace is elongated and curved slightly, suggesting it was designed to be attached or worn as part of a garment, likely in the 17th or 18th century given its style. Two small holes are visible near the top of the lace, possibly for sewing or fastening.