#2325 $1,250
Tamboured net shawl, early 19th century
The Regency shawl is made from fine black cotton machine-made net that is hand embroidered with delicate tamboured floral sprays. The leaves have eyelets executed in buttonhole stitch.
In the early 19th century, embroidered nets were as popular with ladies of high social standing as were handmade lace. The purity of line and aesthetic restraint of the monochromatic floral design (3rd picture down) exhibit the artless beauty we treasure today.
The delicacy of embroidered nets was perfectly suited to the Neoclassical aesthetic (light, planar, geometric forms). This was a reaction against the excessive complexities of Rococo design. The poignant simplicity of the shawl's motif is as fresh today as when first conceived.
"Tambour" refers to a technique that uses a frame ("tambour" or drum) to hold the fabric taut. The frame is used with a tambour hook, which resembles a crochet hook. The tambour hook creates very fine chain stitches.
The condition is excellent.
It measures 23" wide by 120" long.
