Strip of bobbin lace with swans and carnations

Strip of natural-coloured bobbin lace: Mechlin lace. The repeating pattern consists of a symmetrical composition with two swans, flanked on the left and right by a loose carnation between two rosette flowers. The motifs are connected by a fine mesh ground, the Mechlin ground. The motifs are made in linen stitch with cutouts, and provided with thicker and shiny contour threads. There are sparingly some decorative grounds applied, between the branches that the swans hold with their beaks and in the rosette flowers. Top and bottom are finished straight, with picots along one side.