April 19, 1956: “The Lace With The Delicate Air,” a special exhibition, will open at the Brooklyn Museum on Tuesday, May 23, according to an announcement today by Edgar C. Schenck, Director of the museum. Consisting of choice examples from the museum’s collection of lace, one of the finest in this country, the show will be on view in the special exhibition galleries thru August 19.
Inspired by the current trend toward extensive use of lace in home furnishings and apparel, the exhibition will highlight interesting uses of lace from ancient Coptics to this seasons fashions for men and women. In popular use are men's lace sports and dress shirts designed by Damon and Mr. John.
The traditional adornment of kings and queens, dating from the 15th Century, a number of pieces of lace in the exhibition were worn by celebrated figures in history and society. These include: Brussels lace shawl worn by Marie Antoinette and the Empress Josephine; wedding handkerchief carried by Maria Henrietta at her marriage to Leopold II of Belgium; costumes and accessories richly adorned in antique laces worn by Rita de Acosta Lydig, a romantic figure in New York society during the early 20th Century.
Robert Riley, research consultant for the Design Laboratory of the museum, with the aid of Mrs. Dassah Saulpaugh, has organized the exhibition. Miss Marian Powys, noted lace authority, was consultant.
Brooklyn Museum Archives. Records of the Department of Public Information. Press releases, 1953 - 1970. 1956, 011.
