DENTELLE 'D AMOUR

Since the 17th,18th, and beginning of the 19th centuries, French soldiers often carried keepsakes from loved ones which they kept inside their helmets when they went into battle. These little mementos would sometimes be a small piece of cloth or handkerchief edged with lace. Lace was used to decorate many items at the time, including the cuffs of sleeves (poignets en dentelle), collars of shirts “collier en dentelle”, handkerchief, fans, parasols and table cloths. Entirely handmade, lace was a precious and expensive item. Some of these delicate lace edged cloths were cherished tokens from lovers or wives, serving as a poignant reminder of home and loved ones left behind. 

The soldiers held onto these precious mementos as symbols of love and faithfulness, providing them with a source of comfort and courage amidst the harsh realities of war. The tradition of taking  these keepsakes into war carried deep personal significance for the soldiers on the battlefield.

With this textile installation, we want to commemorate the French Navy officers and soldiers whose graves are in this park by representing love and devotion with a love lace symbol.