Point de Beauvais

Example of Point de Beauvais embroidery. Example of Point de Beauvais embroidery.

Point de Beauvais is a French term for a form of tambour embroidery, which is a decorative needlework technique using a hook to create a chain stitch. Tambour embroidery is believed to have originated in India, although China is sometimes said to be its home. It spread to Europe in the eighteenth century as a result of European trading contacts with India. By that  time, point de Beauvais was developed.

Point de Beauvais is characterised by its floral motifs, which were used to decorate a wide range of domestic objects, including bed covers, clothing, curtains, wall hangings and so forth. It is still used within the haute couture world for elaborate embroidery. In France the tambour hook is sometimes called a Lunéville or a Beauvais hook.

Point de Beauvais embroidery is said to have become popular in France due to the influence of Madame de Pompadour (1721-1764), the mistress of King Louis XV (1710-1774). This type of work is sometimes called Pompadour embroidery, after her.

Also known as: Point de Beauvais lace.

Digital source of illustration (retrieved 6th July 2016).

GVE

Last modified on Sunday, 07 May 2017 17:22
Published in Embroideries
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