Fragment
Unknown Artist
16th century
Medium
Bobbin lace
Dimensions
L. 157 X W. 2 1/4 inches (398.8 x 5.7 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Laces
Culture
Italian, Venice
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Frederick Allien, in memory of her mother, Julia Taber Martin, 1920
Accession Number
20.146.16a
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Fragment* of bobbin lace hails from 16th-century Venice, a golden era when the city reigned as Europe's lace-making capital. Crafted by an unknown artist, this strip measures an impressive 157 inches long by just 2¼ inches wide, suggesting it once adorned the edges of luxurious garments, altar cloths, or ecclesiastical vestments. Venetian lace, prized for its airy delicacy and geometric precision, symbolized wealth and status during the Renaissance, often exported across continents via Venice's bustling trade routes. Bobbin lace, the medium here, involves deftly twisting and i...