Border with Double-Headed Birds and Vases with Vines and Flowers

19th century

Border with Double-Headed Birds and Vases with Vines and Flowers, 19th century. Italy, Sardinia, 19th century. Needle lace, filet/lacis (knotted ground and darned in one direction); bleached linen (est.); overall: 23.8 x 244.2 cm (9 3/8 x 96 1/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Bequest of Louise Tifft Brown 1933.344 Double-headed birds alternating with flowering vases appear on this filet/lacis lace. The pattern repeats horizontally, with organic spirals which burst into the upper and lower registers. This lace was given to the museum by Louise Tifft Brown, a native Clevelander who became an expert in lace while living in Venice for 35 years.