Border
Unknown Artist
17th century
Medium
Embroidered net, punto à rammendo
Dimensions
L. 108 x W. 11 inches 274.3 x 27.9 cm
Classification
Textiles-Laces
Culture
Italian, Sardinia
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Mabel Metcalf Fahnestock Collection, the gift of Ruth Fahnestock Schermerhorn and Faith Fahnestock, 1933
Accession Number
33.90.3
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 17th-century lace border from Sardinia, Italy, measures an impressive 108 inches long by 11 inches wide, showcasing the island's renowned tradition of fine needlework. Crafted as an embroidered net using the punto a rammendo technique—a meticulous method where artisans darn intricate patterns directly onto a mesh ground—this piece exemplifies the artistry of anonymous Italian lacemakers. Its delicate motifs of birds and flowers evoke the natural beauty of the Mediterranean, rendered with precision that highlights the era's emphasis on ornamental textiles for clothing, altar clot...