I found this tablecloth at a local estate. It was in a bag and that was evidently the way they wanted it to stay, but it looked much better than average machine lace and was very reasonably priced, so I took it. I couldn't see from inside the bag if there was any pattern or not, or any stains. It feels like linen, in that it's a bit stiffer than cotton tablecloths I've known.
Once I got it home and opened it up, I found that it's rather large and is in perfect condition lace-wise, no rips or tears or pulls, and that there are only a couple of tiny (smaller than a dime) old brown spots. It's around 70 x 144, which probably makes it relatively new. I'm confused, because it seems like bobbin lace, but I'm guessing it has to be machine made, because it's so even. The detail picture makes the pattern look huge, but you can see from the one corner shot that the units of design are rather small and delicate. They completely fill up the entire tablecloth, with the center (the other shot) marked only by a convergence of designs from the outside with a little flower inside. Not a hugely prominent center medallion or anything like that.
I'd like very much to know what kind of lace it is, from where and approximately when (there are no tags on it -- please see the photo of the edge) and an approximate value. We don't have a table anywhere near large enough to use it! but it is beautiful.
Re: Large lace tablecloth
I have found out that it is vintage bobbin made tape lace, but I still don't know anything about approximate value...does anyone here have any leads? Thanks so much.