Border Fragment
Unknown Artist
17th–18th century
Medium
Linen
Dimensions
22 x 46 1/2 in. (56.2 x 118.5 cm) with fringe
Classification
Textiles-Laces
Culture
Italian
Department
Robert Lehman Collection
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
Accession Number
1975.1.1789
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate *Border Fragment*, crafted from fine linen by an unknown Italian artist in the 17th or 18th century, the artistry of Renaissance and Baroque lace-making traditions. Measuring 22 x 46½ inches with elegant fringe, it likely served as an ornamental edge for garments, altar linens, or household textiles—status symbols among Europe's elite. The inclusion of bird motifs, a popular decorative tag in period textiles, evokes nature's grace, adding whimsy and symbolism to everyday luxury. Italian lace from this era, classified as *Textiles-Laces*, was renowned worldwide for its intricate ...