Insertion
Unknown Artist
16th century
Medium
Bobbin lace
Dimensions
L. 10 1/4 x W. 1 1/4 inches (26.0 x 3.2 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Laces
Culture
Italian, Venice
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1920
Accession Number
20.186.86
Art Historical Context
Step into the opulent world of Renaissance Venice with *Insertion*, a delicate 16th-century bobbin lace strip from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Measuring just 10¼ by 1½ inches, this narrow band exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of Venetian lacemakers, who transformed fine linen threads into intricate patterns using bobbins—small spools that allowed for precise twisting and braiding. As a textile insertion, it was designed to be seamlessly worked into garments like collars, cuffs, or linens, adding a touch of luxury to everyday elite fashion. Bobbin lace, distinct from needle lace, em...