Border
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Bobbin lace
Dimensions
L. 13 x W. 2 3/4 inches (33.0 x 7.0 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Laces
Culture
Italian, Abruzzi
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Nuttall Collection, Gift of Mrs. Magdalena Nuttall, 1908
Accession Number
08.180.592
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate bobbin lace border, crafted in 18th-century Italy's Abruzzi region, exemplifies the region's renowned lace-making heritage. Measuring 13 by 2¾ inches, this narrow strip likely adorned garments, furnishings, or ecclesiastical textiles, showcasing the intricate artistry of anonymous skilled artisans. The presence of angel motifs, a common theme in Italian decorative arts, evokes a sense of celestial grace, blending spiritual symbolism with everyday luxury. Bobbin lace, or *punto Abruzzo*, was created by twisting and intertwining threads on a pillow with bobbins, allowing for preci...