Antique Maltese Lace Malta Bobbin Silk Shawl Maltese Cross ✠ Scarf
An antique Maltese lace piece, purchased in Italy, dating from approximately 1860-1910.
This exquisite piece, a decorative collar, ruffled collar, or elegant shawl, is crafted from pale golden, lustrous, egg-yolk colored silk threads, woven using dozens of Maltese bobbins. It originates from the island of Malta, part of the Maltese Republic, an archipelago south of Sicily, Italy.
Measurements: Maximum length 90 cm, width 9 cm.
Extremely light, smooth, and lustrous.
The most distinctive feature is the prominent Maltese Cross ✠ motif, alternating with sun-like motifs, woven in seven large (approx. 6 cm) sections, with small flowers scattered throughout, creating a truly magnificent work.
Maltese lace, a renowned craft from Malta, which was once a British territory, is praised as a jewel of silk. Most pieces were purchased by British royalty, nobles, and the wealthy. It was so expensive that common people could not afford even a small lace piece even if they spent their entire lifetime's earnings.
The Maltese Cross, with its four leaf-like shapes, is metaphorically compared to a four-leaf clover. In reality, its characteristic feature is having eight points. Four V-shaped crests are joined at the base, with the tips of the V's pointing inward to form the corners.
Originally, it was the symbol of the small republic of Amalfi in the 11th century. It was later adopted as the symbol of the Knights of Malta (Knights Hospitaller of St. John of Jerusalem), a Christian knightly order and one of the three major knightly orders of medieval Europe. Initially, their mission was to protect Christian pilgrims visiting the Holy Land, and the order also had hospital functions. Eventually, they became a major force in defending the Holy Land and fighting against Islam.
It is said to represent the eight homelands of the brave warriors who gathered to join the order. The eight points symbolize the eight virtues of a knight: loyalty, piety, frankness, bravery, honor, fearlessness in the face of death, protection of the weak, and respect for the Church.
The prideful spirit and pursuit of supreme virtue, along with their practice, were honored in many European countries and institutions, leading to numerous prestigious decorations.
In Britain, a similar lace called Bedfordshire Maltese Lace was made with different silk, but it is said that the Maltese Cross motif was not used. This was likely due to the immense effort, time, and skill required, and above all, a reverence for the motif itself.
There are no stains or dirt. The threads at both ends are unfinished and cut, but there are no unraveling or breaks, and the condition is very beautiful.
Featured in the book The World is Full of Things You Want. The editor-in-chief of Claire Traveler, who was captivated by it at the island's oldest lace shop, also purchased several pieces.
I would be delighted if the person who is looking for this or who likes it could cherish it ✙
This exquisite piece, a decorative collar, ruffled collar, or elegant shawl, is crafted from pale golden, lustrous, egg-yolk colored silk threads, woven using dozens of Maltese bobbins. It originates from the island of Malta, part of the Maltese Republic, an archipelago south of Sicily, Italy.
Measurements: Maximum length 90 cm, width 9 cm.
Extremely light, smooth, and lustrous.
The most distinctive feature is the prominent Maltese Cross ✠ motif, alternating with sun-like motifs, woven in seven large (approx. 6 cm) sections, with small flowers scattered throughout, creating a truly magnificent work.
Maltese lace, a renowned craft from Malta, which was once a British territory, is praised as a jewel of silk. Most pieces were purchased by British royalty, nobles, and the wealthy. It was so expensive that common people could not afford even a small lace piece even if they spent their entire lifetime's earnings.
The Maltese Cross, with its four leaf-like shapes, is metaphorically compared to a four-leaf clover. In reality, its characteristic feature is having eight points. Four V-shaped crests are joined at the base, with the tips of the V's pointing inward to form the corners.
Originally, it was the symbol of the small republic of Amalfi in the 11th century. It was later adopted as the symbol of the Knights of Malta (Knights Hospitaller of St. John of Jerusalem), a Christian knightly order and one of the three major knightly orders of medieval Europe. Initially, their mission was to protect Christian pilgrims visiting the Holy Land, and the order also had hospital functions. Eventually, they became a major force in defending the Holy Land and fighting against Islam.
It is said to represent the eight homelands of the brave warriors who gathered to join the order. The eight points symbolize the eight virtues of a knight: loyalty, piety, frankness, bravery, honor, fearlessness in the face of death, protection of the weak, and respect for the Church.
The prideful spirit and pursuit of supreme virtue, along with their practice, were honored in many European countries and institutions, leading to numerous prestigious decorations.
In Britain, a similar lace called Bedfordshire Maltese Lace was made with different silk, but it is said that the Maltese Cross motif was not used. This was likely due to the immense effort, time, and skill required, and above all, a reverence for the motif itself.
There are no stains or dirt. The threads at both ends are unfinished and cut, but there are no unraveling or breaks, and the condition is very beautiful.
Featured in the book The World is Full of Things You Want. The editor-in-chief of Claire Traveler, who was captivated by it at the island's oldest lace shop, also purchased several pieces.
I would be delighted if the person who is looking for this or who likes it could cherish it ✙
Category
Craft
Condition
Almost new
Shipping
Included in price (by seller)
From
Kanagawa
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