Mechlin border from the Directoire period

3.5" x 188.97" (8.89cm x 480cm)
Very good condition. Cut both ends, two joins, one ~63" from one end, and another 14" later. Both are well done zigzag joins. A little wear and breaks to the top edge, scattered pinholes in the mesh. Occasional localized brown rust spot.
Mesh thread linen: Looks like single S. Average diameter 0.0598mm, standard deviation 0.0118mm.
Gimp thread linen. 2 ply S single Z. Average diameter of the gimp difficult to measure since the two plys separate. One ply looks like ~0.150mm.

This Mechlin border has a very Empire feel, late 18th or early 19th c. Especially in the lower edge which is just a series of leaves in a chain. Ten rows of esprits in the mesh. Very delicate work in a simple but effective design.

accession number 2019.1.149
purchased 09/07/2019
first posted 12/18/2021