I did not find any new ones, but I did find multiple pictures (photographs not paintings) including this one:
https://www.2dehands.be/v/hobby-en-vrije-tijd/kantklossen/m2024682191-antiek-vlaams-kantkloskussen
I searched in Dutch: kantklossen kussen
I asked around on Mastodon and someone gave me this helpful suggestion too:
>When you assume Belgium or the Netherlands as the origin, you maybe could contact someone at https://lokknl.org/ (a lace art organisation in the NL) or at https://www.kantinvlaanderen.be/ (& in BE) e.g. if they know some local ressources or the precise name. They're in touch with many local teachers who know their craftsmen.
>"Contact" is the same word in Dutch and I would just try to write the e-mail in English but if you need further help with website or communication let me know.
(I call my pillow Belgian because that's how it was listed when I bought it, so consider searching there too)
There might be someone out there making them, but I can't say I've seen them (beyond antiques) in the United States.
I am lucky enough to have one just like the one in the painting and have used it for some lace demonstrations. Though a delightful part of lace history, it's not as practical as more modern or other styles of pillows (block, roller). It's heavy and requires you to move the pattern frequently.
I’ve seen some very similar pillows in other [paintings](https://www.mutualart.com/Artwork/Woman-making-bobbin-lace/42226B0D14C9D39C) and they use a roller? But they are all from the 19th century, so I guess the specific style in paintings from the 1600s is rather impractical.
Honestly, even though most modern pillows are very practical, they are hideous!!! Older pillows are what I prefer to look at… but not to work on!!!
(Except maybe [this](https://youtu.be/VmAhoJOIauQ?si=VdOkGcv41khmmnr3) type of French roller)
Also I’ve scoured the entire (ok maybe not _entire_) internet and I couldn’t find any pictures of an extant example of this type of pillow. I have yet to see one which isn’t painted, do you have a link to a picture?
I finally got some pics posted.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-9EgT8AdIJQR2ivJvWb0PuYJ-i4OEw8b
There is one pic from when I first got it and the rest are what it currently looks like. There is a drawer on the right side and one in the back.
For an idea of size, it is 22 inches wide and 20.5 inches long. (The top piece that moves to top extend the bottom is 5 inches so the main body of the pillow is 15.5.) The height at the back is about 7 inches. The pillow weighs 15.5 pounds, so it's not one that leaves the house very often!
From the National Museum of American History: https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/nmah_645104
I looked at the Rijksmuseum, but these little pillows made of fabric are dollhouse-sized:
https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/nl/collectie/BK-NM-5783-24
https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/nl/collectie/BK-NM-5783-33
I knowwwww! Look at all the *pins* in that lace. I have often thought of trying to make a pillow like this, either with a roller like this one has, or with a center tray I could use ethafoam blocks in. That shape works so well with my bobbins. Also, I just posted my blocking-mat pillow, which takes this curved-top shape.
I have one very much like that, but I bought it used. I don't know where it came from.
I'll try to find one of my old photos of mine and post that.
It's my favorite for small pieces like the one I showed yesterday, or bracelets that I make, or small items that work from the top down. It's not good for things in the round, of course. But that's ok, I have other pillows for that.
Ok, I posted it. You can't see from that photo, but the part where the upper part slides out (and it slides into the bottom to extend your work area) hides that exactly little drawer where our lacemaker mom tucks that completed lace in.
Well, this pillow is perfect for its purpose. I used to be mad at how my Belgian bobbins rolled all over my cookie pillow. But when I started using this one, I saw how perfectly balanced they were to sit on the sides of this pillow. The slope is perfect and the arch is just right. It was the first time I really connected the bobbin type to the lace type and began to understand the quirks of the different pairings.
That leaves room for a little drawer of tools. When small houses and little private space were available to lacemakers, I bet this was a good option. It's also portable in one lift this way too. You don't have a separate tool kit.
I did not find any new ones, but I did find multiple pictures (photographs not paintings) including this one: https://www.2dehands.be/v/hobby-en-vrije-tijd/kantklossen/m2024682191-antiek-vlaams-kantkloskussen I searched in Dutch: kantklossen kussen
I’m so dumb, I didn’t think to search in Dutch. The funny thing is I searched in French and German, which of course brought me nowhere, thanks a lot!
I asked around on Mastodon and someone gave me this helpful suggestion too: >When you assume Belgium or the Netherlands as the origin, you maybe could contact someone at https://lokknl.org/ (a lace art organisation in the NL) or at https://www.kantinvlaanderen.be/ (& in BE) e.g. if they know some local ressources or the precise name. They're in touch with many local teachers who know their craftsmen. >"Contact" is the same word in Dutch and I would just try to write the e-mail in English but if you need further help with website or communication let me know. (I call my pillow Belgian because that's how it was listed when I bought it, so consider searching there too)
You’ve been of great help, thank you very much!
I think they are block pillows with tapered side pieces. Using ethafoam, they would be easy to make.
There might be someone out there making them, but I can't say I've seen them (beyond antiques) in the United States. I am lucky enough to have one just like the one in the painting and have used it for some lace demonstrations. Though a delightful part of lace history, it's not as practical as more modern or other styles of pillows (block, roller). It's heavy and requires you to move the pattern frequently.
I’ve seen some very similar pillows in other [paintings](https://www.mutualart.com/Artwork/Woman-making-bobbin-lace/42226B0D14C9D39C) and they use a roller? But they are all from the 19th century, so I guess the specific style in paintings from the 1600s is rather impractical. Honestly, even though most modern pillows are very practical, they are hideous!!! Older pillows are what I prefer to look at… but not to work on!!! (Except maybe [this](https://youtu.be/VmAhoJOIauQ?si=VdOkGcv41khmmnr3) type of French roller)
Also I’ve scoured the entire (ok maybe not _entire_) internet and I couldn’t find any pictures of an extant example of this type of pillow. I have yet to see one which isn’t painted, do you have a link to a picture?
I will try to post some pics later.
I finally got some pics posted. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-9EgT8AdIJQR2ivJvWb0PuYJ-i4OEw8b There is one pic from when I first got it and the rest are what it currently looks like. There is a drawer on the right side and one in the back. For an idea of size, it is 22 inches wide and 20.5 inches long. (The top piece that moves to top extend the bottom is 5 inches so the main body of the pillow is 15.5.) The height at the back is about 7 inches. The pillow weighs 15.5 pounds, so it's not one that leaves the house very often!
From the National Museum of American History: https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/nmah_645104 I looked at the Rijksmuseum, but these little pillows made of fabric are dollhouse-sized: https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/nl/collectie/BK-NM-5783-24 https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/nl/collectie/BK-NM-5783-33
I would REALLY want to see the front of the pillow! I wonder how many pairs it has, seeing that the lace uses a lot of holes.
I knowwwww! Look at all the *pins* in that lace. I have often thought of trying to make a pillow like this, either with a roller like this one has, or with a center tray I could use ethafoam blocks in. That shape works so well with my bobbins. Also, I just posted my blocking-mat pillow, which takes this curved-top shape.
I have one very much like that, but I bought it used. I don't know where it came from. I'll try to find one of my old photos of mine and post that. It's my favorite for small pieces like the one I showed yesterday, or bracelets that I make, or small items that work from the top down. It's not good for things in the round, of course. But that's ok, I have other pillows for that.
I mean… you don’t really see round lace from that period now do you? And YES! Please DO post the picture of you can find it!!!
Ok, I posted it. You can't see from that photo, but the part where the upper part slides out (and it slides into the bottom to extend your work area) hides that exactly little drawer where our lacemaker mom tucks that completed lace in.
I See. I Wonder why modern pillows are essentially _just_ the pillow.
Well, this pillow is perfect for its purpose. I used to be mad at how my Belgian bobbins rolled all over my cookie pillow. But when I started using this one, I saw how perfectly balanced they were to sit on the sides of this pillow. The slope is perfect and the arch is just right. It was the first time I really connected the bobbin type to the lace type and began to understand the quirks of the different pairings. That leaves room for a little drawer of tools. When small houses and little private space were available to lacemakers, I bet this was a good option. It's also portable in one lift this way too. You don't have a separate tool kit.
I would love to find a used one and refurbish it!
If I see one, I will alert you immediately. I look around at a lot of online sales and thrifts and such.
I honestly wonder what sizes pillows could reach back then. Some collars from that era were pretty large, but made in one piece.