Edging

Art Historical Context

Step into the delicate world of 18th Italian textiles with *Edging*, a exquisite piece of bobbin lace from Pescocostanzo in the Abruzzi region. Crafted by an unknown artist this period, this narrow strip measures just 7 3/4 by 2 1/2 inches, perfect for adorning collars, cuffs, fine linens. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1920, it now graces the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of European Sculpture and Decor Arts, showcasing Italy's rich tradition of lace production. Bobbin lace, the medium here, involves skilled artisans twisting and intertwining fine threads around small bobbins and pins to create intricate patterns. Pescocostanzo was a renowned center for this craft in Abruzzo, where local workshops produced laces prized across Europe for their precision and elegance. This technique demanded patience and expertise, turning humble threads into wearable art that symbolized status and sophistication. As a classified textile-lace, *Edging* highlights the artistic ingenuity of everyday decorative objects. Its survival speaks to the enduring appeal of Abruzzese craftsmanship, inviting us to appreciate the unseen labor behind such fragile beauty—a testament to 18th-century Europe's love for ornamental detail.