DOI Heft:
No. 151 (October, 1905)
DOI Artikel:Levetus, A. S.: The state schools for lace-making in Austria
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20713#0040
Austrian Lace Schools
PILLOW-LACE COLLAR
Under the name of the “Verein zur Hebung der
Spitzen-Industrie,” a society for the encouragement
of the lace industry was called into existence, with
the Archduchess Marie Theresia as patron. This
is a purely private society ; and, though it works
hand-in-hand with the Central Lace Schools, it is
quite independent; its aim being to further the
movement and increase the earnings of the lace-
makers.
All the lace schools are under the' direction ot
the Central Lace Schools. Inspectors appointed
by the State are sent on circuit to visit the branches
and report, and all the teachers are sent irom
Vienna. The aims are manifold and varied, and
may be summarised as follows :—(i) didactically,
to train workers who are able to produce more and
better work; (2) by continually providing new
patterns and exhibiting new methods of working to
DESIGNED BY FRAU HRDLICKA
rouse the women to a sense of artistic beauty and
feeling, and interest in their work; (3) by provid-
ing a centre for the sale of the work to encourage
the home and export trade; (4) the elimination of
the middleman. Though but little over four years
have passed since the commencement of the move-
ment, all these objects have been attained; and
Austrian hand-made lace is in great demand, not
only in her own country, but in foreign lands. At
present there are thirty schools, and it is proposed
to found others from time to time as circumstances
demand.
The work of these schools is far from being
uniform. It must not be forgotten that to obtain
dexterity in work, the girls must begin when they
are seven, eight, or at latest ten years of age—that
is, while still attending school. In Gossengriin I
saw them being instructed in lace-making after the
22
PILLOW-LACE COLLAR
Under the name of the “Verein zur Hebung der
Spitzen-Industrie,” a society for the encouragement
of the lace industry was called into existence, with
the Archduchess Marie Theresia as patron. This
is a purely private society ; and, though it works
hand-in-hand with the Central Lace Schools, it is
quite independent; its aim being to further the
movement and increase the earnings of the lace-
makers.
All the lace schools are under the' direction ot
the Central Lace Schools. Inspectors appointed
by the State are sent on circuit to visit the branches
and report, and all the teachers are sent irom
Vienna. The aims are manifold and varied, and
may be summarised as follows :—(i) didactically,
to train workers who are able to produce more and
better work; (2) by continually providing new
patterns and exhibiting new methods of working to
DESIGNED BY FRAU HRDLICKA
rouse the women to a sense of artistic beauty and
feeling, and interest in their work; (3) by provid-
ing a centre for the sale of the work to encourage
the home and export trade; (4) the elimination of
the middleman. Though but little over four years
have passed since the commencement of the move-
ment, all these objects have been attained; and
Austrian hand-made lace is in great demand, not
only in her own country, but in foreign lands. At
present there are thirty schools, and it is proposed
to found others from time to time as circumstances
demand.
The work of these schools is far from being
uniform. It must not be forgotten that to obtain
dexterity in work, the girls must begin when they
are seven, eight, or at latest ten years of age—that
is, while still attending school. In Gossengriin I
saw them being instructed in lace-making after the
22