Lot 81
[Washington, Martha] Handmade Brussels Lace Riding Veil, Original hand-made riding veil used by Martha Washington at Mount Vernon, 19 x 96 in., folded in frame (44 x 26 in.). The veil is constructed of homemade, cream-colored Brussels net lace. The long, rectangular panel features a design of oval shapes surrounding a simple center medallion (on a net ground) flanked by secondary medallions (on a net ground) and elliptical forms on a ground of dense lace patterns. The oval designs and medallion are defined by double rows of hedebows (the circular buttonhole designs). The edge of the panel is trimmed in picots.
This veil was first sold in February 1917 at Stan V. Henkels in Philadelphia, Catalogue No. 1186, Lot 5. The sale was called "The Great Historical Sale," and included "Relics of George and Martha Washington and of James Monroe Belonging to Mrs. Hortense Monroe McIntire Including Lady Washington's and Mrs. Monroe's Laces and Dresses" (photocopy of title page, explanatory page, and two pages containing first seven lots). This veil was sold again at Christie's on 17 November 1941, lot 276 (photocopy of catalogue page included), and then at Alderfer's (in Philadelphia) on 28 September, 2001, lot 870 (photocopy of catalogue page included). In the 1941 Christie's sale, the two lots before this veil (lot 276) were the veil that Martha wore in the famous Gilbert Stuart painting that hangs in the White House alongside the Lansdowne portrait of Washington (lot 274) and Martha's wedding veil (lot 275).
Mrs. Hortense Monroe McIntire was the great-great-granddaughter of James Monroe, whose mother was the youngest daughter of Lloyd N. Rogers and Miss Hortensia Hay, a granddaughter of President James Monroe. When James Monroe was Minister to France, his daughter went to school in Paris and while studying under the famous Mme. Campan, formed a friendship with Hortense Beauharnais, daughter of Empress Josephine by her first husband. The friendship was kept up and Monroe's daughter, who had married Judge Hay, named her daughter Hortensia after Hortense, who was Queen of Holland at the time and who became godmother to Hortensia. Hortensia's granddaughter, Hortense Monroe McIntire, received this veil and other Washington relics from her grandmother. A branch of the Rogers family (mentioned above) married into the Washington family. Ex Claude Harkins Collection.
Estimated Value $15,000 - 20,000
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