Fragment

Unknown Artist

19th century

Fragment by Unknown Artist

Medium

Bobbin lace

Dimensions

L. 8 x W. 2 3/4 inches 20.3 x 7.0 cm

Classification

Textiles-Laces

Culture

Swedish, Dalarna

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Gift of the Society for Women's Work, Stockholm, 1908

Accession Number

08.47.22

Art Historical Context

This delicate fragment of bobbin lace, hailing from Sweden's Dalarna region the 19th century showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of traditional European textiles. Measuring just 8 by 2¾ inches (20.3 x 7 cm), it exemplifies the precision required in bobbin lace-making, a technique where fine threads are twisted and interwoven using small wooden bobbins pinned to a pillow. This method allowed artisans—often women in rural communities—to create intricate, durable patterns without a loom, blending functionality with artistry. In Dalarna, known for its vibrant folk traditions, such laces adorned...

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