History
Bobbin lace-making is an inseparable aspect of life in the town of Vamberk (Czech Republic). The history chronicles record that lace-making has a more than four-hundred year tradition in the Vamberk area.
17th Century
Skilful bobbin lace-makers were scattered throughout the belt of the Orlice Mountains, especially in the Vamberk area. Archive sources first mention Vamberk lace-making in 1642, but the beginnings date back to much earlier times. The mid-17th century is recalled above all in association with the name of Magdalena Grambová, a Belgian noblewoman who, as the owner of the local estate, introduced Belgian lace patterns and a new technique of bobbin lace-making using a lace cushion or pillow. Using her organisational and business talents she turned Vamberk into a European centre of lace-making.
Since its beginnings lace has found its use as a decorative feature for garments, an accessory to the interiors of aristocratic and burgher residences and churches. In the course of time ordinary people also found a use for lace. The material most commonly used to make lace was nettle, cotton and silk thread as well as gold and silver thread. Simple patterns progressed to more complicated ones which lace-makers exchanged among themselves and came up with new ones.
19th Century
In the second half of the 19th century lace-making in the Vamberk area experienced a significant upswing. The skills and art of lace-makers was turned into a profitable business. There is probably not a single house in Vamberk where bobbin lace was not made.
In the second half of the twentieth century the region became industrialised and so bobbin lace-making ceased to be the single source of income, so the numbers of those engaged in this beautiful craft began to decline.
After 1945
An art and craft cooperative was established after the Second World War. The date of the establishment of the world famous cooperative, the Vamberecká krajka Vamberk, was 11 May 1946. Its main goal from the date it was established was to continue on from the popular tradition and combine it with modern art work. The successor to the Vamberecká krajka Vamberk cooperative in 2003 was the company Vamberecká krajka CZ s.r.o., who made it its task to bring bobbin lace-making into the modern 21st century and provide a feeling of comfort to home interiors in this age of hi-tech.
Throughout its existence, Vamberecká krajka has been cooperating with renowned artists. The result of this cooperation is the grand success at the World Exhibition EXPO Brussels in 1958 (being awarded the Gold and Silver Medal). This was the first post-war award Vamberecká krajka received in the world. In 1967 it won again at the World Exhibition in Montreal and this was followed by hundreds of other prizes.
Over the years the production programme continued to expand. Production began of women’s social and evening wear decorated with handmade bobbin lace. Then production began of household textiles, above all table sets with machine-made bobbin lace applications. Even handmade bobbin lace experienced a number of changes. The original production techniques were preserved, and the use of this type of lace increased in clothing and house furnishings.
The fact was always highly assessed that the art of lace-making in the Vamberk region did not stagnate with old patterns and shapes, but is constantly alive and able to adapt to contemporary trends. This means that modern lace-making essentially follows the popular traditions, continues to develop contributing to the balance between tradition and modern social needs. Cooperation with prominent artists and famous designers is a guarantee that the products bearing the Vamberk krajka registered trademark will not go down in price over the years, but will, instead, gain in their historical and artistic value.
The Present
Currently as a company Vamberecká krajka is able to adapt to the needs of the customer in its patterns which can be made to order, and create various sizes, especially for home and interior textiles that are made by small-scale serial production, and based on individual and unique, original designs.