Insertion (For a Cover)
1601/25
Medium
Linen, needle lace worked on a laid and plaited thread grid, Reticello pattern
Dimensions
11.3 × 65 cm (4 1/2 × 25 5/8 in.); Repeat: W.: 14.3 cm (11 5/8 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
38863
Art Historical Context
This exquisite linen insertion strip, titled *Insertion (For a Cover, dates to around 1601–1625 and hails from the Art Institute of Chicago's Textiles. Measuring a slender 11.3 × 65 cm with a repeating 14.3 cm-wide pattern, it was designed as a decorative border or insert for household linens like tablecloths or bedcovers. In the early 17th century, pieces transformed everyday fabrics into displays of wealth and refinement, especially among Europe's elite. Crafted in the reticello technique—a pioneering Italian needle lace method—the work features intricate geometric designs stitched onto a g...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...