Dating from the mid-1500s, bobbin or pillow lace became increasingly popular. In order to create this delicate art of plaiting, one must first have a pillow on which to work it.
Pillows vary greatly in both size and shape according to the country of origin.
Simple flat square straw-stuffed pillows or rectangular desk pillows supported on a stand were utilized by the Belgians. The Italians and Germans preferred a round cylinder bolster-shaped pillow, supported on a stand. The English tended toward a round ball pillow supported on a stand. My particular favorite is a French style pillow with a revolving bolster and a large apron on the front and shorter apron on the back. Although some French pillows have no apron on the back.