Border
1875/1900 (reproduction of 16th century Reticello design)
Medium
Linen, needle lace worked on plain weave cut and drawn thread work grid; two pieces joined
Dimensions
13.2 × 88.2 cm (5 1/4 × 34 3/4 in.); Repeat: 4.7 × 5.4 cm (1 1/8 × 2 1/8 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
38731
Art Historical Context
This delicate linen border, created between 1875 and 1900 as a faithful reproduction of a 16th-century Reticello design, exemplifies the enduring allure of Renaissance lacework. Measuring a slender 13.2 × 88.2 cm, it consists of two joined pieces featuring a repeating geometric pattern (4.7 × 5.4 cm), perfect for adorning collars, cuffs, or table edges in Victorian-era households. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Textiles Department, it bridges centuries, showcasing how 19th-century artisans revived historic techniques amid a growing fascination with medieval and Renaissance crafts. R...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...