Providing a multitude of historical and aesthetic references, lace is one of the most romantic and delicate patterns around. During the reign of the Egyptian pharaohs, wearing lace was a privilege of the elite. During the Renaissance, French, Venetian, and Flemish lace rose to worldwide acclaim, and became the prerogative of royalty and aristocracy. Though a dying trend among the rich, it has remained a symbol of luxury, sensuality, delicacy, and femininity. All of which are classic values that we would associate to jewellery as well.
Each epoch and nationality has left its distinct imprint on lace as an art form. While authorities once tried to curb the audience’s desire for lace by sumptuary laws, today, there are no such restrictions. Only the imagination sets the boundaries for what can be brought forth with eternal goldsmith materials. To this day, lace continues to be one of the coveted fabrics in fashion. In jewellery, it has become an endless source of design inspiration — its effects and patterns can be achieved in several ways — thanks to the creative interpretations by gifted designers and craftsmen.
Image opener: From Jacob & Co. the Rare Touch collection consists of hand-pieces, bracelets, and chokers ‘knitted’ in red gold set with diamond dots
