Manufacture Belge de Dentelles, Brussels

Once upon a time, little old Belgium was the epicenter of the lace trade. Back in those days, the precious material was exclusively used to adorn the garments of clergy and royalty; however, as time passed, different countries developed their unique lace styles, and lace became a more widely available commodity. Today, the majority of lace production has shifted to China. Nevertheless, in Belgium, a dedicated group of artisans still carries on the age-old tradition of crafting handmade lace embroidery. This craft is incredibly labor-intensive, with a single small piece of lace taking about 85 hours to create. Belgium employs around a thousand lacemakers, all of whom are women ranging from their fifties to their eighties.

In the heart of this lace tradition lies one of Belgium's oldest lacemaking families, located in the Galerie de la Reine. For five generations, they have preserved the various local lace styles that Belgium has to offer. While you can find practical items like coasters, breadbaskets, and small keepsakes at Manufacture Belge de Dentelles, their framed original lace patterns stand out as true works of art: unique, refined, and with a higher price tag.

In addition to their functional and artistic creations, the shop also offers exquisite hand fans in both black and white. Smaller fans are available for 50 euros, while larger ones come at a slightly higher cost. Since the store also sells a limited number of factory-produced hand fans, you can easily compare the quality and craftsmanship for yourself.