Antique Italian Milanese Tape & Bobbin Lace Embroidered Runner with Beautiful Floral Design

A beautiful needlework Milanese lace piece with a floral motif, dating from the late 18th century in Italy.

The Milanese technique, also known as Cantù technique, uses needles, bobbins, and thread to create delicate (bobbin-made) tapes. These tapes are then curved and layered to form flowing lines, characteristic of this method, which symbolically depicts beautiful natural motifs such as flowers and plants. This linen cloth runner features such delicate and beautiful designs, with a gauze-like ribbon curved into floral and grassy patterns that elegantly float within a mesh.

It is a mixed bobbin lace creation, incorporating the tape-like Milanese technique with delicate picot lace, transitioning from bobbin to Milanese, then back again, and finally adding picots.

The spaces between the looped motifs are meticulously bridged with finely woven thread, creating a dense, net-like or honeycomb-like structure through bobbin lace techniques.

A principle of this technique is to have no cuts or few endings. It also seeks to embody infinity, the eternal and everlasting nature of beautiful forms.

The composition is symmetrical in all directions, creating a sense of order and balance, and it has been carefully crafted with wishes for peace, stability, and tranquility.

The color is a beautiful, clean, and elegant off-white or ivory.

It has a soft, smooth, and warm texture. The tape appears to be made of gauze-like linen or a linen and cotton blend thread/cord.

Please excuse any errors in the amateur measurements of this handmade item:

46.5 cm x 28-29 cm
Approximately 14g

There appear to be no noticeable stains, tears, or rips.

Bobbin lace produced in Milan between the 17th and 18th centuries is called Milanese (tape) lace. Cantù, originating from the hilly and lake region north of Milan, is also an elaborate technique that involves curving thin linen cords to create motifs.

It was primarily used for decorative edges of pleats, collars, and aprons, often featuring flowing designs by Baroque styles, such as leaves, stems, chains, and swirls, as well as patterns of animals and human portraits.

Considering its age, it is in good condition. We hope that this carefully crafted piece will be cherished and used for a long time to come.

We would be delighted if you enjoy and utilize this item. ✧

Search terms: Italian Lace, Belgium, Bruges, Handmade

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Antique Italian Milanese Lace Bobbin Flower Mesh Long Linen Cloth