Antique Italian Cantu & Milanese Mixed Bobbin Lace Collar Cross

An antique needlework lace piece from Italy, dating back to the 18th-19th century, featuring floral motifs.

This piece utilizes techniques such as Cantù and Milanese lace, with a deformed cross shape... It can likely be used as a doily. It is speculated to be either a work in progress for a collar or a remnant of a larger piece.

The design features a clover motif at the center, with lily-like floral motifs appearing on only one end, creating a graceful botanical pattern.

The color is a pale ivory/ecru.

It has a very soft and warm texture. The threads are likely made of high-quality linen only, or a blend of linen and cotton.

It would be lovely to dress a teddy bear or an antique bisque doll with this, perhaps securing the overlapped sections with a brooch.

This technique involves using a needle and hands to manipulate thin (bobbin-made) tape, curling and layering it to create curves and flowing lines, often forming symbolic representations of flowers, plants, and other beautiful natural motifs, which are intricately woven into this piece.

A principle of this technique is to have no cuts or endings, or very few. It also seeks the eternity and permanence of beautiful figurative forms.

Within the loops, there is intricate whitework embroidery.

The spaces between the formed loops are bridged with finely woven threads, creating connections like nets, leaves, stems, or nests, often using bobbin lace techniques.

Except for the lily motifs, the design is symmetrical horizontally and vertically, conveying a sense of order, balance, and a wish for peace, stability, and tranquility, meticulously crafted.

Please excuse any errors in the amateur measurements below.

Length: 44.5 cm
Maximum width: 17.5 cm

There are some areas where the threads at the edges are frayed, but there appear to be no noticeable stains, tears, or rips.

Cantù lace originated in the hilly, lake-filled region north of Milan, and is an elaborate technique that involves curving thin linen threads to form motifs.

Considering its age, this meticulously crafted piece is in good condition and we hope it will be utilized for a long time to come.

We would be delighted if someone who appreciates it could make use of it. ✧

Search terms: Italian Lace, Belgium, Bruges, Handmade

Other works are also listed below:
Antique Italian Cantù Lace
Pair of Cranes Drinking Water at a Fountain, Dianthus, Thistle

Antique Italian Cantù Lace
Angel in a Meadow Carrying Flowers, Tray Cloth