Fragment
Unknown Artist
19th century
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...