Border

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative collection, this delicate *Border* exemplifies the exquisite needlework of the 16th–17th centuries. Crafted from linen and silk using the drawnwork technique—where threads are meticulously withdrawn from the fabric and the remaining ones are stitched into intricate openwork patterns—this small piece (8½ x 8 inches) showcases the precision and patience of anonymous artisans. Likely Italian or Greek in origin, it reflects the Renaissance-era fusion of craftsmanship from Mediterranean lace-making centers, where such bor...