Handmade Lace from yesteryear to present

Aletta Penning, 13 April 2024

If the reader is familiar with terms like Carrickmacross, Koppies lace, Reticella and with the art of Pierre Fouche, then the world of lace needs no introduction.

For the rest of us at the GSSA Northern Branch, this world opened up with Aletta Penning's talk on April 13th. Lacework flourished during the opulent era of King Louis XIV as a sought-after commodity throughout old Europe. Before his time, it was practised in Italy and Flanders only.

Quality lacework was highly valued and even smuggled. Design techniques were kept secret, and styles developed geographically. For a long time it was reserved for the rich only. From baptism gowns to wedding dresses, undergarments, boothose and flamboyant collars, lace dictated the world of fashion.

Aletta is the chairperson of the Pretoria Lace Guild, a member of the Witwatersrand Guild, and has been a member of the international lace organisation OIDFA, for decades. She was indeed the perfect person to tell us more about lace, and the many photos in her presentation illustrated it beautifully.

The story of lace in South Africa is just as interesting and literally and figuratively woven into the country's history. Emily Hobhouse's role in this story is pivotal. Take a look at the recording and learn more about this craft practised with such dedication.