Antique Dresden Lace Poppy Iris Embroidery Linen Doily Ecru Ivory White

This is an antique linen doily from the late 18th century, likely Dresden lace from southeastern Germany. It features three delicate hand-embroidered flowers resembling poppies or irises. The design includes bold open cutwork arcs and intricate whitework filling the spaces. The piece has an Art Nouveau and Japonisme aesthetic, creating a lyrical and fantastical atmosphere. Within the outlines, there are finely stitched openwork patterns that could be mistaken for drawn work. The petals and the long, single leaf feature beautiful gridwork created from two different types of mesh, based on ▦ and ✛✛✛ patterns. The elegant needlework appears as if thread is appliquéd onto bundles of woven threads, with precise and intricate detail resembling stars, crosses, and diamonds (❖, ✵, ◇, ◆). The embroidery is created by continuously stitching small stitches one by one with a needle using thin linen/hemp thread. The linen fabric is woven with fine threads, making it supple, smooth, and soft with a subtle sheen, suggesting high-quality linen thread. This technique is more robust and feels like it can be used for a long time. The color is a bright and elegant ecru or ivory white, with a faint greenish or yellowish tint, characteristic of natural threads. It might also have been made in Italy, France, or Denmark. The diameter is approximately 9.61 to 8.70 inches. It weighs about 10g. The last image shows the reverse side. Only one piece is available. The item is in clean condition with no noticeable stains or damage. Please allow for small imperfections not explicitly mentioned. The doily is suitable for use on tables or chests, under objects, jewelry, photo frames, vases, or flower arrangements. Framing it in a double-sided glass frame would highlight its intricate woven patterns and enhance its artistic value.

Details

Condition	Good
Origin	Germany
Material	Ceramic
Era	Unknown