When I told my friends we were going to holiday in Belgium the most frequent comments they made were: “Make sure you buy some lace/drink some beer/eat some chocolate.” I couldn’t ignore these instructions and needed no encouragement to indulge in all three.
Belgian lace is world renowned and has been made since the 15th century. In Bruges there are lace shops on every street, with window displays showcasing everything from simple bookmarks to elaborate tablecloths. The workmanship is beautiful.
The Volkskundemuseum, or Folklore Museum, in Baalstraat, Bruges has an exquisite antique lace collection and some of the pieces are more than 200 years old.
Climb the stairs to the exhibition room in the attic to see delicate collars, mantles and shawls displayed in glass cases at low light levels.
It’s not even necessary to imagine how these garments were worn as there are also paintings showing the wealthy citizens of Bruges dressed in all their finery.
The finest Belgian lace is still made by hand. Look carefully in the doorways as you walk through the streets of Bruges and you might just see the next beautiful piece being created.
What a fine art this is, to be able to create such exquisite lace. It’s nice to know that there are still people who do this by hand. I wonder if young people in Belgium are also encouraged to carry on the tradition.
I don’t know if they do…it’s a nice thought.
I do think this was your favourite place. I’m back off the El Shard Thursday week for drinks on a high floor. Fingers x’ed for a great sunset.
Lucky you. If you get nice photos we might see them in a post soon. Have fun.
It is such an itricate art, isn’t it? I’ve seen ladies at craft fairs demonstrating their lace making, and it looks so confusing with all the different bead covered bobbins. I imagine it must take years of practice to become good at it.
I think it must take some concentration, and imagine if you accidentally got a knot in the threads.
I love the lace, Carol, and like you, I would also indulge in the beer and chocolate. Beautiful! I love needlework. 🙂
I actually ate much more chocolate than drank beer! It was goooood.
I can only imagine! Dreaming…. 🙂
How beautiful. It is amazing to me how clean and beautiful the streets are, too. I wonder if lace will every come back in popularity to what it once was? It was certainly popular at a time when life seemed messier on the whole. It must have been a bear to function in those garments, even for just a photo (haha) sitting! Can you imagine even posing for hours on end wearing those folds and folds of lace? And what if a hot flash hit? Yikes! My mind is spinning right now. Better go cool off! 🙂
It was very clean in Bruges. All the lace we saw in the shops was very expensive, probably because of the time it takes to create each piece. I can’t imagine wearing all that finery. It would be very uncomfortable.
Totally! Your post set my imagination on fire this morning. 🙂
Oh dear that is a worry. I don’t want to be responsible for your internal combustion.
Poof!
Gorgeous. The museum must have been a real treat. One wouldn’t want to spill chocolate or beer on one’s lace collar!
That would be a terrible waste of chocolate or beer!
😀
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