The Lace & Costume collection (approximately 8,000 and 3,000 pieces respectively) is not exhibited in its entirety or displayed in a dedicated room. However, parts of the collection can be seen in the renovated galleries dedicated to the decorative arts of the 18th century, and items are regularly lent for temporary exhibitions in other museums.
Bedspread depicting Archduke Albert and Isabella
This bobbin-lace bedspread was given to Archduke Albert and Isabella, who governed our regions from 1598 to 1633. Some of the 120 squares portray the couple and the ruling families related to them, while others depict scenes from the Ommegang, a sacred and profane pageant whose floats summarized popular life in the Duchy of Brabant.
At that time, the lace industry, still in its infancy, was limited to braided geometric patterns. The variety of themes represented here - and the technical innovations required to execute them - make this bedspread an exceptional piece. It foreshadows the...
This bobbin-lace bedspread was given to Archduke Albert and Isabella, who governed our regions from 1598 to 1633. Some of the 120 squares portray the couple and the ruling families related to them, while others depict scenes from the Ommegang, a sacred and profane pageant whose floats summarized popular life in the Duchy of Brabant.
At that time, the lace industry, still in its infancy, was limited to braided geometric patterns. The variety of themes represented here - and the technical innovations required to execute them - make this bedspread an exceptional piece. It foreshadows the perfection and originality of a regional industry whose reputation remained strong until the dawn of the 20th century.
The train of Queen Marie Henriette
Several days of festivities were held in Brussels to mark the silver wedding anniversary (25 years of marriage) of Léopold II and Marie Henriette. One of the highlights took place at the Royal Palace on the evening of 23 August 1878, when the Queen was presented with a tiara adorned with precious stones and a lace train. This magnificent train was financed by a national subscription among Belgian women and presented by female delegates from the nine Belgian provinces, in the presence of 2,300 female representatives of the country’s municipalities.
Sprays and garlands of flowers blossom on...
Several days of festivities were held in Brussels to mark the silver wedding anniversary (25 years of marriage) of Léopold II and Marie Henriette. One of the highlights took place at the Royal Palace on the evening of 23 August 1878, when the Queen was presented with a tiara adorned with precious stones and a lace train. This magnificent train was financed by a national subscription among Belgian women and presented by female delegates from the nine Belgian provinces, in the presence of 2,300 female representatives of the country’s municipalities.
Sprays and garlands of flowers blossom on clusters of Belgian lions between the coats of arms of the nine provinces. The shell-shaped train is scattered with bobbinwork Belgian lions of increasing size, applied alternately to the right and left. At the bottom, the nine coats of arms of the Belgian provinces are applied in bobbin lace, from left to right: Luxembourg, Limburg, Hainaut, Liège, Brabant, Antwerp, Namur, West Flanders, and East Flanders.
Contact
- Ria Cooreman: r.cooreman@kmkg-mrah.be