Cloth with One Figure of a Woman Carrying a Cross Surrounded by Floral and Vegetal Patterns

18th century

Cloth with One Figure of a Woman Carrying a Cross Surrounded by Floral and Vegetal Patterns, 18th century. Italy, 18th century. Needle lace, filet/lacis (knotted ground and darned in two directions), alternating reticella squares (open cutwork) and bobbin lace edging; bleached linen (est.); overall: 196.7 x 130.6 cm (77 7/16 x 51 7/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, The Frances McIntosh Sherwin Collection 1936.94 The only figure represented on this large lace cloth is located in the center. The figure is a woman, shown in profile, carrying a cross, standing on top of a creature or within a vessel shaped like a creature. The large size and square shape suggest that this textile would likely have been used as a table cloth.