Insertion
Unknown Artist
16th century
Medium
Bobbin lace
Dimensions
L. 8 1/2 x W. 2 inches 21.6 x 5.1 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
20.186.255
Art Historical Context
Step into the intricate world of Renaissance luxury with *Insertion*, a exquisite 16th-century bobbin lace from Venice, Italy. Measuring just 8½ by 2 inches (21.6 x 5.1 cm), this slender strip exemplifies the delicate artistry of Venetian textiles. As an "insertion," it designed to be seamlessly set between fabric edges—think elegant collars, cuffs, or altar cloths—adding a touch of opulence to garments and furnishings. Venice in the 16th century Europe's lace-making epicenter, where skilled artisans transformed fine linen threads into wearable masterpieces. Bobbin lace, a technique using sma...