A type of fine lace with ornamental floral designs, originally produced in Alençon, France.
Named after the town of Alençon in Normandy, France, where this luxurious needlepoint lace was developed in the 17th century. The word preserves the town's name as a product designation, similar to how 'champagne' comes from the Champagne region.
Alençons lace became so valuable in European courts that it was sometimes worth more than gold thread by weight—queens would commission entire wedding gowns from just a few yards!
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