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TerminologyShort verified entry

Fancy work

Fancy work is a term used to describe and catalogue material of this kind, established as a heading by Getty Research Institute, Library of Congress. Hand work in textiles, wire, or other delicate materials that is decorative or ornamental, as opposed to strictly plain or functional. work includes needlework, crochet, knitting, hairwork, works using folded or woven paper as a medium (rather than or in addition to having paper as the support), metal wire, etc. It sits within the wider heading of Decoration and ornament; Sewing.

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Fancy work is a term used to describe and catalogue material of this kind, established as a heading by Getty Research Institute, Library of Congress. Hand work in textiles, wire, or other delicate materials that is decorative or ornamental, as opposed to strictly plain or functional. work includes needlework, crochet, knitting, hairwork, works using folded or woven paper as a medium (rather than or in addition to having paper as the support), metal wire, etc. It sits within the wider heading of Decoration and ornament; Sewing.

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In this article

  1. 01Origins and development
  2. 02Archives and collections
  3. 03Notes, references and evidence

The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.

Elsewhere in General

22,759 published records in this field, each with its sources named.

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