File:Bertha, woman's, collar (AM 3802-4).jpg

English: Bertha, linen, bobbin lace (point Duchesse) and needlepoint lace (point de gaze), large shoulder-flounce mainly of bobbin lace with brides and five needlepoint medallions, inset in strapwork motifs Brussels Duchesse Bertha Collar unknown lacemaker, Brussels, Belgium, late 19th century linen, length 690 mm gift of Miss Romer, T1228 A bertha collar is a very wide circular collar, and this one is a beautiful example of Brussels Duchesse lace technique. There are two lace techniques in the collar. Needlepoint lace (Point de Gaze) is made with a needle, and there are five floral medallions with raised petals mounted on machine-made net. Flowers, leaves and scrolls made with bobbins are featured design motifs. Notice that some of the leaves have raised edges made with bundles of thread. Although the maker is unknown, the variation in the leaves tells us that more than one maker was involved. At some stage of the process the medallions and bobbin motifs, made by many outworkers, were joined together using plaits and picots, the little loops, on the inner and outer edges. I enjoy looking at this collar because of the many techniques and design features it displays. I can also appreciate the skills of all the designers and lacemakers involved with its creation. Alwynne Crowsen, Volunteer, Applied Arts