Material:  wood , metal, straw, oilcloth

Size:   Apron Length (front to back) ~ 19 inches,
          Apron Width ~ 26 inches,

         Height ~ 6 & 1/2 inches at apron back, sloping to 5 inches at front,

Quantity:  1 lace pillow/loom,  25 wood bobbins,

A very interesting antique French, or possibly Swedish, lace making table pillow, with a built in storage cupboard, 25 wooded bobbins and small piece of lace in the process of being worked.

I was told by a professional lace maker that a similar pillow is illustrated in the Diderot Encyclopedia, which was published in the 1700's, so this pillow could easily date to the 18th century.

It has a large sloped oilcloth covered apron, with a center lace roller and a really neat cupboard that opens in the rear, for convenient storage of lace making supplies, such as pins, prickings, threads, bobbins and tools.

I understand that it is not unusual for really old lace making looms to have several layers of apron covering, however this particular example has only one, a blue/black oilcloth, which may very well be the original covering and it does show years of use.  While it remains surprisingly quite intact there are a number of wear spots, especially around the perimeter, as well as a few smaller tears.

Through these small openings in the cloth covering I can see what appears to be straw stuffing underneath.  When I press on the covering there is a slight give to the stuffing, but it does not crunch, or feel excessively brittle.  Also, there is no moldy, or other strong/unpleasant smell.

I believe that the roller is stuffed with a similar straw like material.

On one side of the roller there are small metal pins and on the other side there is small brass colored metal arm tucked down near the apron.   See images #3 and #4.  The lace expert was unsure of the arm configuration, but stated that the new lacemaker could decide if this setup was convenient, or if desired, the arm can apparently be switched to the other side.  This is definitely out of my area of expertise, so please view all of the images closely.

This lace loom is very solid and substantial; it is definitely not rickety or wobbly.  It appears to constructed of solid wood, with very old style dovetail type cupboard corners.   Sometime in the past, screws were added to the bottom of the cupboard, where the base is attached to the side pieces. This was obviously very long ago, as the screws look quite old and appear darkened from contact with the wood.   Overall weight as shown is apx. 9 pounds, so it is heavy enough to stay in place as lace is being worked, yet not to cumbersome to move easily.

There are two different, but very similar styles of turned treen bobbins either attached, or included in the cupboard.  They have rounded, somewhat bulbous bodies culminating in either a slightly blunted or pointed tip, medium collars. long necks and fairly flat heads.

The treenware bobbins attached to the lace are quite tangled.  As best I can tell apx. 17 of the 25 bobbins are in very nice condition, but apx. 7 have chips/damage to either the collars, heads or both and one has some damage to the body.

I was told by the lace expert that the lace example worked here is a simple band of half stitch (basic to all bobbin laces) with eyes edge to the left and either samples of talley leaves completed, or they may be part of the repeats.  The pricked paper is a little rough, with some rips, tears and bends.

Overall, for an antique lace making pillow that is likely several hundred years old, this example is in very nice, useable condition.  If desired, a new  apron cover can be added over the existing oil cloth, which will preserve the historic value and still provide a good working surface.

Although some of my images have unfortunately turned out somewhat dark I have included a lot of different views.  If for any reason I have not pictured an area of interest or included some necessary information, please let me know specifics and I will add additional required views and/or information.

Antique French Lace Making Pillow ~ Loom With Wooden Treen Bobbins, Bobbin Lace and Storage Cupboard, 18th Century

$ 375.00