Superb Twenty Four Piece Placemat Set, Vintage Semi-Sheer Soft-White 11.5x12" Placemats and 16" Napkins Edged with Handmade Flanders Lace

This set of twelve napkins and matching placemats are delicate and delightful; they are tissue thin translucent cotton fabric edged with white lace. They come from a time when sheer and translucent was preferable to thick and bulky; each piece is lighter than air. The set is edged with handmade Flanders bobbin lace that was made to turn the corners. (with no folding or bunching) I read that the odd little figures in the Flanders lace once had cultural significance and that this type of handmade lace is under-appreciated because the meaning has been lost over the centuries that they have been making this lace. The condition is excellent. The placemats measure 11.5x12" and they napkins measure 16". The napkins had been used; the placemats were never used, nor laundered, until now. Elegant and special and lovely. c.20th century. Stock 23121