Dress
Date: 1930-1930
Medium: Fibre: slik (lace, embroidery)
Classification: Costume and Textiles
Object number: 1998.4.7a
Label text:Point de Beauvais is a French term for a form of tambour embroidery, which is a decorative needlework technique using a hook to create a chain stitch. It is believed to have originated in either India or China and it spread to Europe in the eighteenth century. Point de Beauvais embroidery is said to have become popular in France due to the influence of Madame de Pompadour (1721-1764), the mistress of King Louis XV (1710-1774). This type of work is sometimes called Pompadour embroidery, after her.
Point de Beauvais is characterised by its floral motifs, which were used to decorate a wide range of household objects. It is still used within the haute couture world for elaborate embroidery. In France the tambour hook is sometimes called a Lunéville or a Beauvais hook.
Point de Beauvais embroidery, is worked with the right side of the work piece uppermost. The pattern is traced onto paper, which is pierced all with a needle then ink is stencilled through the holes onto the cloth, which is stitched and held onto a work frame. The thread is worked from beneath the cloth using a very fine crochet hook, resembling a regular needle, to push and pull the thread, forming interlocking loops on the top surface and making a real “chain stitch”. Point de Beauvais technique allows many colours to be worked and combined, as finely needed and the stitches can be very tightly worked together.
Point de Beauvais is characterised by its floral motifs, which were used to decorate a wide range of household objects. It is still used within the haute couture world for elaborate embroidery. In France the tambour hook is sometimes called a Lunéville or a Beauvais hook.
Point de Beauvais embroidery, is worked with the right side of the work piece uppermost. The pattern is traced onto paper, which is pierced all with a needle then ink is stencilled through the holes onto the cloth, which is stitched and held onto a work frame. The thread is worked from beneath the cloth using a very fine crochet hook, resembling a regular needle, to push and pull the thread, forming interlocking loops on the top surface and making a real “chain stitch”. Point de Beauvais technique allows many colours to be worked and combined, as finely needed and the stitches can be very tightly worked together.
DescriptionGold & black lace dress with Point de Beauvais embroidery.
Not on display
In Collection(s)