A Meissen model of the lace maker Barbara Uttman, c.1745, modelled by J F Eberlein, resting her

A Meissen model of the lace maker Barbara Uttman, c.1745, modelled by J F Eberlein, resting her lacemaking pillow on her knee, her hair tied neatly back from her face, 10.5cm.

Barbara Uttman (1514-1575) established the lacemaking industry in her home town of Annaberg, Germany. Her tombstone credits her with the invention of bobbin lacemaking in 1561. Cf. Len and Yvonne Adams, Meissen Portrait Figures, pl. XLVII. There are several variations of this figure.