Insertion
Unknown Artist
16th century
Medium
Bobbin lace
Dimensions
L. 8 x W. 1/2 inches (20.3 x 1.3 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
20.186.90
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Insertion* is a masterful example of 16th-century Venetian bobbin lace, crafted an unknown artist in Italy's lagoon city, a renowned hub of lace production during the Renaissance. Measuring just 8 by ½ inches (20.3 x 1.3 cm), this narrow strip was designed for insertion into garments—think delicate cuffs, collars, or hems—where it would add a touch of opulent texture between fabric edges. Its classification as a textile lace highlights the fusion of artistry and functionality in European decorative arts. Bobbin lace, or *punto a fusello*, emerged as a key technique in Venice a...