Amazing Handmade Bobbin Lace Medallions - Woman and Man (or Ghost!) facial meaning with beautifully turned fruitwood ends

with beautifully turned fruitwood ends

I have no idea what this was once attached to

and for me it doesn't get much better than the blue and red combinations on this 19th century needlepoint pouch--I can't decide which side I like best

cutting oats

Amazing Handmade Bobbin Lace Medallions - Woman and Man (or Ghost!) facial meaning with beautifully turned fruitwood endsWhat a lot of work went into making these two bobbin lace medallions or doilies done by hand, with very fine thread (silk I believe) and what a lo0t of patience and manual dexterity required! I'm a huge fan of figural bobbin lace and have seen one or two round pieces like this with a figure similar to the ghost like man at center, but never as part of a pair with a female companion (and what a great skirt on her!) I'd frame them together side by side