Manchet van kloskant versierd met drielobbige waaierbloemen c. 1915

This is a bobbin lace cuff, decorated with trefoil fan flowers, created by Martha Berkers. Lace making has a fascinating social history. In many European countries, it provided a crucial source of income for women from the 16th century onwards. Looking at the image, we can see the complex patterns created through the interlacing of threads. The fan flowers are carefully wrought, and the overall effect is one of delicacy and refinement. Lace was a luxury item, so this cuff would have been worn by someone of considerable wealth. The production of such an item speaks to economic structures and social hierarchies. Historians can study census records and guild documents to better understand the conditions under which lace makers like Berkers worked. We might explore the institutions that shaped her craft, such as workshops or local markets. By situating this cuff in its social context, we can understand how it reflects the economic and cultural values of its time.