This delicate fabric is known as pierced work from the technique with which it is decorated.
Accessories made using the technique became fashionable during the late eighteenth century. Fine fabric, either linen or silk, was stiffened by starch so the threads would stick together. Then the fabric was punched using fine rounded metal teeth to push the threads aside rather than severing them, creating a lace-like pattern.
Examples of pierced work can be seen in waistcoats of the 1780s and 1790s, such as: 835-1907, in the V&A collection.
Larger examples of pierced work such as this apron: T.313-1920, or veil: T.314-1920 are included in the V&A Textile and Fashion collection.pierced and printed silk, Italian? 1700sApron of plain woven silk fabric, with patterns in pierced work and white paste.
The upper portion is occupied by ten narrow vertical bands with wavy stripes and flowers tied by bows, on a circular lace-like mesh: the plain spaces between are pointed with detached sprays. Below are festoons, tasselled cords and pendant medallions containing birds. There is a wide border on three sides of wavy floral stems and leaf ornament also on a circular lace like mesh.