Researcher: Ms. Riet van de Velde
The TRC has an extensive collection of Dutch lace caps, and also examples from other parts of Europe. They date from the mid-19th century to the present day. These represent an important garment worn by girls and married women throughout Western Europe. These caps were used to give information about the marital, social, regional, religious and indeed economic status of the wearer.
Lace cap with golden jewellery over a silver casque. Northeast Netherlands. TRC collection.The TRC collection is currently being catalogued and photographed so that a detailed description of their construction, appearance and use can be presented to the general public. In addition, Dutch lace caps are often described according to their regional origins – Rijnland, Volendam, Zeeland, and so forth, but seldom with reference to the use of lace caps in urban and regional forms from other parts of Europe.
The aim is to have the TRC's collection digitally available so that it can be used by researchers elsewhere to identify and discuss similarities and differences. This project will be of particular interest to social historians.
Project duration: Photographs and data will be made digitally available on the TRC website in 2015.
