Simone Handbag Museum

Mannequin Mount 1910

Museum Mount created for Arts & Crafts tooled leather clutch

Mannequin Mount 1920

Museum Mount created for Barrel cream/red striped dance purse

Mannequin mount 1800

Mannequin created to mount tortoise shell & tooled leather handbag

Mannequin mount 1760 – Stays & Hooped Petticoat

Museum mount created to display 1760s Georgian pocket on mannequin

Mannequin mount 1900

Museum mount created to display metal change purse (for little finger)

Irish Crochet

The technique for Irish lace crochet is adapted from European needle lace, in particular Venetian needlepoint lace and Spanish needle lace, and is characterised by separately worked motifs which are attached into a mesh background. Although the tradition for making Irish crochet lace dates back to an earlier time, it flourished in Ireland as a means to supplement family income during the period of famine in the mid-nineteenth century. During this period of hardship all family members might crochet using a handmade hook and cotton thread. Individual families developed personalised motifs and carefully safeguarded their designs. On completion of work the motifs were taken to a lace-making centre where they were crocheted together with designs from other families, and made into collars, cuffs, bodices, or full garments. These items were then sold in Dublin, London, Paris, Rome and New York.