The painting of lace in a Masterwork such as works by Rembrandt is awe-inspiring. The actual lacework in the 17th C was time consuming to make, and expensive to purchase; and to have your portrait done showcasing the lace you owned was to showcase you as being amongst the height of fashion and esteem. Decorative: in what were otherwise formal portraits. Although of course...a portrait by Rembrandt is also an object of beauty.
Apparently lace was not common in clothing before the mid-16th C. According to Sophie Ploeg:
"Lace developed in the 16th century in Europe but it only really became popular towards the end of the century and became high fashion from the early 17th century onwards. In England, lace did not feature in painted portraits before Elizabeth I made it popular."
From Japan Avenue:
"Japanese patterns come in many forms and all have a hidden meaning. Very much found on the kimono and other Japanese clothing, they are called wagara. Most of the traditional Japanese patterns dates back to the 8th century and are inspired by nature, of which the symbolism is very strong in Japanese culture."
"In Japan, each flower has its own meaning according to its appearance and characteristics. Thus, each flower is associated to a specific Japanese symbol, a virtue, an emotion... Japanese also have a word to name this: Hanakotoba which means "language of flowers".
Apparently many patterns were introduced to Japan by China during the Nara period (710-794).
I find this fascinating. Art as decoration and as representation of attitudes and mores and interests and knowledge and belief. Art that tells a story: at times representationally and at others abstractly. Art that asks and encourages you to look further.