What Is the Origin of Lace Veils?

With lace specimens prone to deterioration, sources of visual references include paintings, sculptures and pottery that depict lace or a lace-like netting. Both Eastern and Western cultures may have contributed to the history of lace veils. Early documentation of lace-making occurred in Europe.

Ancient Nettings

• Veils or nettings wrapped mummies in Egyptian and Graeco-Roman tombs as far back as 2500 B.C. Egyptian sarcophagi feature paintings depicting the weaving process.

Lace Production

• Lace as an open work of threads included cotton, flax, silk, gold or silver. Using a pillow as a support, the worker could create either needle point lace or bobbin lace. Machinery could produce imitations of needle point and bobbin lace patterns. Italy, the main producer of needle point lace, has documented lace dating back to 1476.

  During the reign of Charles V (1519-1556), many Belgian schools and convents taught lace-making. The Belgian provinces, also known as the "cradle of lace," developed various styles and techniques. During the reign of Louis XIV (1643-1715), France established a thriving lace industry with help from lace makers of Italy and Belgium.

19th Century

• Queen Victoria (1837-1901) perhaps started the trend of wearing lace veils on her wedding day in 1940. For Victorian-era brides and contemporary counterparts, the feminine lace veil stylishly complements a wedding dress.