Ornament
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Needle lace
Dimensions
H. 3 x W. 2 3/4 inches (7.6 x 7.0 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Laces
Culture
Italian, Venice
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Museum Accession
Accession Number
X.285
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate **Ornament** from 19th-century Venice exemplifies the exquisite needle lace tradition of Renaissance Italy, which flourished in the lagoon city as a pinnacle of decorative arts. Crafted by an unknown artist, this small piece—measuring just 3 x 2¾ inches (7.6 x 7 cm)—likely served as a personal accessory, such as a collar insert, cuff, or jewelry element, adorned with intricate floral motifs that evoke the natural beauty of Venetian gardens and canals. Needle lace, or *punto in aria* ("point in air"), is a labor-intensive technique where threads are individually stitched and knot...