FASHION. BRUSSELS COLLECTION

The Art Museum RIGA BOURSE in Latvia houses a remarkable collection of Belgian lace. The collection was donated to the State Museum of Art (now the Art Museum RIGA BOURSEin the 1930s by the Belgian ladies' organisation Les Amies de la Dentelle and the Royal Museum of Art and History under the patronage of the Latvian ambassador Jānis Lagzdiņš. It comprises 46 exclusively filigree handicrafts from the late 17th to the early 20th century.

Brussels and Binches lace patterns. Bobbin lace. 18th century.

Pocket square. Flemish lace pattern. Bobbin technique. 20th century.

Bobbin lace and appliqué on tulle. Mixed techniques. Europe, 19th century.

FASHION. DUCHY OF COURLAND 17th-18th centuries

16.–18th century In Latvia, the demand for lace products was determined by the fashion of the time and the main consumers - Riga's wealthy merchants and German nobility, who were in no way out of sync with European fashion trends, as well as the clergy. All the ancient lace types known in Italy, France, Belgium, Germany and other European countries made their way to Latvia after some time.

Dress of Louise Charlotte, wife of Duke Jacob. 17th century. Rundāle Palace Museum

Fragment of brocade lace on dress. (9 cm x 90 cm.) Rundāle Palace Museum

A fragment of the lace collar of Duke William's silk waistcoat with tassel. Bobbin? braids. 7 cm x 13 cm. Circa 1640. Rundāle Palace Museum

Duke William's velvet coat. The decoration is six bands of bobbin lace. Each band 6 cm x 150 cm. Circa 1640. Rundāle Palace Museum

Dress. Embroidered fabric. Brocade bobbin lace in the skirt. 367 cm x 3,5 cm. Handmade. Mid-18th century. Riga Museum of History and Navigation , inv.no. VRVM 521