Edging and insertion
Unknown Artist
16th–17th century
Medium
Bobbin lace
Dimensions
L. 11 x W. 4 inches (27.9 x 10.2 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Laces
Culture
Italian, Venice
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1920
Accession Number
20.186.158
Art Historical Context
This delicate bobbin lace edging and insertion, crafted in Venice during the 16th 17th century, the pinnacle of Renaissance-era textile artistry. Hailing from Italy's lace-making capital, where guilds flourished under the patronage of nobility and the Church, this piece measures a modest 11 x 4 inches yet showcases the intricate precision of Venetian lacemakers. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1920, it now graces the Metropolitan Museum of Art European Sculpture and Decorative collection. Bobbin lace, or *punto a groppi*, was created by twisting and intertwining fine linen threads using s...