BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LACE

lace made in Buckinghamshire, Eng., from c. 1665 or earlier until the first quarter of the 20th century. This bobbin-lace industry, which was centred in Olney and Newport Pagnell, is thought to have originated from the successive influx of refugee laceworkers to the east Midlands counties. These refugees were reportedly Flemish, especially from Mechlin (156368), and French, especially from Lille (1572). It is true that Buckinghamshire, or Bucks, lace has the type of hexagonal mesh ground known as Lille and floral motifs reminiscent of Mechlin and Lille lace, but these could be 18th-century rather than 16th-century influences. Among the many patterns characteristic of Bucks lace is the so-called rose and tulip, alluding to William III of Orange.