Honiton lace veil

Mary Tucker wore this Honiton lace veil for her marriage to Henry Ford on 6 December 1864. The machine-made net is embellished with Honiton lace sprigs and edging. The wedding was a high-profile occasion for Branscombe: the Tiverton Gazette called it a ‘festival’. The couple provided the poor of the village with ‘a beautiful dinner and tea’.

Mary Tucker was the daughter of John Tucker (1807–77), one of the major lace dealers in East Devon during the mid-19th century. It is likely that his firm made the veil. Mary and her younger sister, Louisa, were accomplished lacemakers and designers.

John Tucker employed about 280 people. His lace was synonymous with good quality and workmanship. It was awarded prize medals at international exhibitions. The firm closed when John died.

Visual description: Displayed with Mary Tucker’s wedding dress, the lace veil flows from the head down the entire length of the back. Each corner has a large floral spray of stylised bell-shaped flowers.