An extraordinary piece of 19th-century needlework history, this authentic French lace sample notebook (cahier d'apprentissage) preserves the meticulous craftsmanship of a bygone era. Complete with its original, beautifully illustrated botanical leaf-and-berry patterned cover, the front of the book bears the signature of its creator, G. Mauper.
Titled "Frivolité"—the traditional French term for the delicate, historical art of shuttle tatting—this personal reference album serves as a physical master catalog of antique textile engineering.
Inside, the pages are filled with numerous physical, beautifully preserved specimens of handmade tatted and crocheted lace. These include delicate floral lace borders, complex insertions, intricate geometric trims, and miniature sample fragments once used as working patterns by French ateliers and dressmakers.
This surviving artifact offers endless inspiration for textile historians, couture fashion designers, costume researchers, or anyone passionate about historical needlework. It would make a breathtaking addition to a museum study collection, a slow-stitch artist's studio, or framed individually as unique botanical wall art.
These types of albums were often assembled by students, teachers, lacemakers, or textile merchants as reference collections and study tools. It is typical of a textile sampler book or a lacemaker's reference display. These types of books provide a wonderful snapshot of the incredible variety of lace techniques being produced at the time. This album includes examples that appear to feature crochet lace, filet lace, tatting, and other handmade lace forms popular throughout France and Europe. Beautifully preserved in antique condition. Cover shows authentic, gentle age wear along the edges, adding significant historic character. The mounted lace swatches inside remain remarkably intact with natural age-toning. This sampler book measures 5.75" x 7.5" and is in wonderful condition.
Please email me with questions.
