Italy is home to one of the richest and oldest cultures of lacemaking throughout the world. Originating in the late 15th century or early 16th century, lace became a staple in Italian homes. The earliest versions of Italian lace were pieces made by removing threads from linen in one direction at a time and stitching back together to form designs into the pieces. This style punto sfilato (drawn-work) was used to make the linen stronger and lighten the appearance. This piece is interesting because it is incomplete so a of the the process is visible

Italy is home to one of the richest and oldest cultures of lacemaking throughout the world. Originating in the late 15th century or early 16th century, lace became a staple in Italian homes. The earliest versions of Italian lace were pieces made by removing threads from linen in one direction at a time and stitching back together to form designs into the pieces. This style punto sfilato (drawn-work) was used to make the linen stronger and lighten the appearance. This piece is interesting because it is incomplete so a of the the process is visible

Moving into the 17th century Punto in Aria was the first example of lace made without a linen foundation, instead designs were drawn onto parchment and the pieces were made with pins and individual threads. Pinto in aria is one of the earliest examples we see of Italian bobbin-lace.

These styles lead into Punto a relievo a fiorami which would later be known as Venetian point, this style made use of many different kinds of stitched to achieve its raised details. This style is started with bobbin-lace techniques and then added onto with different styles of stitching to create the raised edges

Fragment, 16th century, Needle Point Lace, The National Gallery of Victoria.

Drawn work 'Punto Tirato' 16th century, Drawn work Lace, The National Gallery of Victoria.

Border pattern 'Punto in aria', 17th century, Bobbin- Lace, The National Gallery of Victoria.

Border, 1700, Venetian Lace, The National Gallery of Victoria.