Fibre archeology : antimacassars

One of the wonderful aspects of this fibre archeology adventure besides the acquisition of artifacts is the bits and pieces of information also collected. 

When I came across antimacassars on a church sale dig and consulted  Oxford to check on the spelling,  the dictionary also offered that the name came about (and I had wondered!) because the "small protective cover for the backs or arms of  chairs…"  was  "Originally a protection against the Macassar oil that was used on hair."

Oxie had no listing for Macassar.  Hang on a sec while I consult with Google.  Ah!  City in Indonesia.

I believe this is the rose pattern in Irish lace.  I don't know if it is hand made – it could have been and was in company with the second one on this post and was at a sale where the parishioners tend to donate exquisite items.  I like to think it was.

Look at that detail!

It has the drape of thread worked at home by hand;  to me machine  manufactured items seem stiffer.

This was discovered at the same sale and I would say had the same origin as the above.

Here it is up close.

Both would likely have been on plush upholstered furniture when the intent was protection.

Now they are mostly decorative.

If – when! – the time comes that the energy of a piece can be somehow interpreted and give a provenance of the item -  what fun that will be. 

And that definite of a link will surely enhance the contrast between what was covered then and what is being covered – the stained glass blanket,  the rag bag rugs – now;  which may be part of the same era.