Lace Fragment

Object Name:

Lace Fragment

Object ID:

2002.637.16

Creator:

Bridgman, Laura D.Artist

Place of Origin:

Perkins School for the Blind, Boston, MA//Hanover, NH

Date:

1840-1889

Description:

Lace fragment. Rectangular, 4.25" x 3". Hand-knit with two-ply S-twisted cotton thread. Hand stitched to a red silk satin backing, 5.45" x 3.5"; right and left sides (selvedges) pressed under 0.5", top and bottom fringed edges. Satin sandwich with adhesive between a two-layered ecru (5.75" x 4") and mint (5.35" x 4.5") colored paper backing, and a 0.75" strip of lined paper autographed "Laura D. Bridgman". Made by Laura D. Bridgman (1829-1889) of Hanover, NH, who was deaf and blind since the age of two. A student and teacher of needlework at Perkins School for the Blind in Boston, MA, she sold autographed fragments of knitted lace to raise money for the poor and purchase gifts for friends.

Material:

Textile
Cotton
Paper
Silk

Dimensions:

W-3.25 L-4.25 inches

Provenance:

Found in Collection. Possibly made by Laura D. Bridgman (1829-1889) first documented person who was deafblind to be educated in the United States. Born and raised in Hanover, NH. Lost four of the five senses at the age of two. Most likely made while living at Perkins School for the Blind, Boston, MA.

Credit Line:

New Hampshire Historical Society Collection

People:

Bridgman, Laura D. (1829-1889)

Subjects:

Lace, Knitting, Cotton, Satin, Silk, Paper, Autographs, Textile art, Textiles, Handwork, Souvenirs, Blind persons, Deaf persons