I think it is probably a summer months thing, but it was pleasing to see maybe 40% of the antiques stall holders out in the Plaza Matriz on tuesday morning this week. A friend from Australia is visiting for several weeks, and we were wandering around the downtown leather and artesanal areas to help her get her eye in – on a pre-shopping survey if you like, of what’s currently on offer in floor rugs, leather jackets and bags. Leather goods are so lovely here and compared to Aus, much less expensive.
So moving through from the Plaza Independencia to the Ciudad Vieja (Old City) round to corner we came to this array of antique stalls I had always presumed were only there on saturdays. I don’t go downtown and into the old city often during the week.
The top two of these hand made lace inserts – no idea how old but I’m guessing early C20 – are on very fine linen, and were made to insert into fine table or bed linen. The lower one is all pattern darning on fine net or tulle, a lovely poppy design with each petal a different filling. It is the finest net darning I have ever seen, and would have been made as an insert into a fine silk blouse or dress is my guess, and from the style and the period when those things were in vogue, it could be anywhere from late 1890’s to early 1940’s. Whatever their ages, they are all a bit dingy, and photographed against a dark grey b/g. 