WASHINGTON, MARTHA HANDMADE BRUSSELS LACE RIDING VEIL

Washington, Martha Handmade Brussels Lace Riding Veil. Original handmade riding veil used by Martha Washington at Mount Vernon. The veil is constructed of homemade, cream colored Brussels net lace. The long, rectangular panel features a design of oval shapes surrounding a single center medallion ( on a net ground ) flanked by secondary medallions and elliptical forms on a ground of dense lace patterns. The oval design and medallion are defined by double rows of hedebows ( the circular buttonhole designs ). The edge of the panel is trimmed in picots. This veil was first sold in Feb 1917 at Stan V. Henkels in Philadelphia, Catalogue No. 1186, lot 5. The sale was called "The Great Historical Sale," and included " Relics of George and Martha Washington's and Mrs. Monroe's Laces and Dresses". This veil was sold again at Christie's on 17 Nov 1941, lot 276. Then at Alderfer's on 28 Sept, 2001, lot 870. In the 1941 Christie's sale, the two lots before this veil (lot 276) were the veil that Martha wore in the famous Gilbert Stuart painting that hangs in the White House alongside the Lansdowne portrait of Washington (lot 274) and Martha's wedding veil (lot 275). provenance: Ex Claude Harkins Collection. Exhibited at REVOLUTIONARY AMERICA! 1763-1783, April 20-November 3, 2002. ( Who Were We? Colonial Society Fashion.)