The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-20

sympathetic Intuition Said to Be q
Necessary Requisite.
Chicago Post.

chicago FOSt.
Are there any simple rules by which those
Impractical in the art of judging fine laces
may determine with practical certainty the
relative values of these exquisite creations?
woman whose life has been spent in study
of the rarest and most expensive laces
brought to this country in the last quarter
of century, and who handles each day
comfortable fortune in these filmy fabrics.
Yes" she answered with decision. There
is a rule almost unfailing IN its accuracy
when intelligently applied 1t is this: Look
for the blood of tired fingers, for the traces
of time and thought, for suggestions OF SYM
pathy,. sensitiveness, aspiration and suffer-
poetical sense. 1t is the way and the only
true way OF telling really fine lace from that
which IL almost worthy to be classed among
the best examples of this delicate art. If
you have an eye quick to discern IN the
inanmate fabric the expression OF these
human emotions you need never be deceived
as to the quality or value of a piece or lace
ALI the WileS of a dishonest salesman would
be unsuccessful in clouding your good a 5u6g-
of discernment for those sure evidences or
superiority which i have named. But IL
you are devoid of this kind or perception
You would better not attempt to buy expen-
sive lace without the advice and assistance
of some person who has an appreciation or
these subtle qualities.
say that the woman who is unable to dis
Germ these attributes which are FOUND IN
every piece of fine lace will probably make
a poor figure wearing the most costly ana
exquisite net that has ever been wrought
by the cunning and patient hands OF a mas
ter in the art There is as much differences
in the grace with which lace is worn as
there is in the material itself. Not few
women are utterly unable to make a pleas
ing appearance in lace gown, and this
inability arises from mental or artistic
disability rather than from lack OF phys
ical graceS
''There is nothing finer than point lace in
all the world of delicate laceS OF course.
this lace derives its name from the fact that
tNaf of ffGf
an ordinary needle like that used by any
seamstress. The pattern is drawn upon
parchment and worked out with the needle.
The most minute mesh is simply "button-
hole stitch. These stitches vary in size
ard FORM some of them being so tiny as to
be hardly perceptible to the naked eye.
and you will see that the meshes are
slightly irregular in form and size-and
place particular emphasis on the word
slightly How do these features in the gem
uine article differ from those in the imita-
ton? You can see for yourself. In the lat
ter the stitches are absolutely uniform in
both size and form. There is no trace OF
the variation which unerringly betrays the
handiwoTk of human fingers. Instead You
detect the stiff exactness of a machine.
But, before making minute examind-
ton of details a good judge of the lace al
ways looks for the real art OF the work In q
bread and general sense. If the fabric IS
found to be the capitalization of a beauti-
full dream, its genuineness may be depended
upon. 1t has sweep and grace In every
Curve and it is the expression of the artists
thought. Now let me see if you understand
my meaning"
The expert laid before her caller two
pieces of lace and called for a quick de-
cision as to which was the genuine piece.
The selection was made and the expert ex-
claimed
That's right. You have chosen one OF
the most exquisite pieces of point ever
brought to America. 1t is worth $3.50
yard and was made by a woman who was
a master in the craft. When 1t Is remem-
bered that it takes years to produce q
comparatively small piece of lace approach
ing this in quality 1t is not difficult to I'M
derstand why the fabric brings so high
price. Again, the skilled lacemakers ara
rapidly becoming extinct. Brussels. Belgium
and all Italy were once full of them, but a
close search is required now to find real
artists. / have many scraps of beautiful
lace on which the makers have comments
similar to this: 'Eighty-two years of age.
Blind. Cannot work any more. This is my
last piece Formerly the craft was handed
down from one generation TO another but
the young women of the present day. in
those countries, can earn more money in
the field and in factories than at the beau
tifui handiwork to which their mothers.
grandmOthers and great gTandmOtherS
gave their lives. More than that. the labor
is not SO wearing. For this reason really
fine work in lace is daily becoming more
rare and is steadily increasing in value"