Lux Lace Maker
   Loom Type:  Perpendicular
   Loom Mode:  Removable Pins

I'm much indebted to artist and collector Marty Jonas (http://www.marty jonas.com) for providing the photos of the extremely rare Lux Lace Maker from an example in her collection. This item was included in a box of Lux soap flakes as a promotion, no doubt reflecting the capabilities of Lux to wash very fine fabrics. In this respect, this item recalls the Ivory Soap Ad which has a similar theme. Lux was an agressive advertiser, and sponsored several radio and TV shows including the Lux Radio Theater from 1934 to 1955.

Lever Brothers, founded in the UK 1885, introduced Lux as a flaked version of its existing Sunlight bar soap in 1899. The name "Lux" is latin for 'Light', and also suggests Luxury. The flakes were easily dissolvable, and it was promoted as appropriate for 'delicate' items, primarily ladies' underwear. Port Sunlight, printed on the Lace Maker package below, was a city founded in 1888 in England for Lever Brothers workers. The brand came to the US in 1916. Lever Brothers became Unilever in 1930, however the name was kept for brand identity until the 1990's. Therefore these dates aren't much help in dating this piece. Lux is still widely marketed by Unilever and is sold in several forms.

The piece is a perpendicular loom with removable pins. In this case no cushion is needed, the pins stay in place by connecting with both the top and bottom layers of the loom; quite a unique idea.

Click here for Lux Lace Maker Instructions

first posted 6/17/2010