Strip
Unknown Artist
1625–50
Medium
Needle lace, punto in aria
Dimensions
L. 46 x W. 2 1/4 inches (116.8 x 5.7 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Laces
Culture
Italian
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Anonymous Gift, 1879
Accession Number
79.1.222
Art Historical Context
Step into the opulent world of 17th-century Italy with this exquisite *Strip*, a masterful example of needle lace crafted between 1625 and 1650. Measuring an impressive 46 inches long just over 2 inches wide, slender band showcases the pinnacle of Italian lace-making artistry. Created using the *punto in aria*—literally "point in air"—it was worked entirely freehand with needle and thread, without a supporting fabric ground. This innovative method allowed lacemakers to build intricate, ethereal designs that seem to float, resembling delicate sculptures in linen. Originating from Italy's renow...