Kabaja van wit linnen batist rondom afgezet met een geschulpte strook machinale kant c. 1900 - 1920

This ‘Kabaja’ was made from white linen, with machine-made lace, by an anonymous artist at an unknown date. Just look at the way the white batiste catches the light, soft folds creating an intimate texture! It’s as if I can feel the maker’s fingers – anonymous as they are – gently guiding the fabric, coaxing it into shape. I can imagine them working with the delicate fabric, perhaps by candlelight, each stitch a meditation on form and function. The lace trim around the edges reminds me of drawing a line with a thin brush. It’s all about the rhythm and the movement, the play between precision and chance. It is so satisfying, the way the edges create a delicate dance of shadow and light. It’s something that connects this artisan to so many others through time. What a conversation piece!