19th Century Burano Border

38" neckline, 45" outer circumference, ~6.5" deep 
Excellent condition, just a little beige.

Interesting Burano bertha with provenance. The design resembles the late 18th c, but is definitely a 19th c product. Note the mesh oriented radially from the neckline. Couched cordonnet. Good technique, not the greatest design of very simple flowers with a wavy border. The wavy band does have an interesting filling.

The piece came with this letter:
Real old lace Bertha "(Vieux Bruxelles)
A museum piece from the Well Known St Petersburg collection belongingto the Wantastarsky? family whose geneology dates from the VII Century.
The present owner, Wladimir M? Wanlaslask? is the godson of Emperor Alexander II  whose? heir apparent; he was aide de camp of the Grand Duc Nicolas Commander in Chief of the Russian Army, during the Russe-Turkish War in 1977/8, and equerry of the court of the late Emperor Nicholas II. Owing to revolution M. Wanlaslassky is now a destitute refugee, 80 years of age & incapable of gaining a living; therefore he is desirous of disposing of this family heirloom at the sacrifice price of 800? francs.
14 December 1931 "Maison Russe" Mentan.   Colonel W. Wantastarsky?...
Witness: Prince W. Wolkonsky ...

purchased 07/07/2019
first posted 04/29/2020