Fan leaf

Naturalism in design was a particular characteristic of English bobbin lace made at Honiton in Devon and the surrounding area in the 1860s and the years following. Typically, the Bath and West of England's Agricultural Show show of 1864 held a competition for lace 'worked either in flowers, fruit, leaves or insects, strictly designed from nature' with £100 offered for the winning design.

This fan leaf was also entered into a design competition, held by the Fan Makers Company in 1878, for which it won second prize in one of the classes. It was purchased new by the Museum after the competition, for 10 guineas (£10.50).