A Superb Antique White Linen Italian Combination Lace Figural Bedcover (Bedspread) with Mythological, Seasonal and Biblical Themes with Point de Venise Portraits of Kings and Queens, 85x100"

This superb piece is technically a bedspread because all of the designs face one direction but it could also be used as a tablecloth because it is trimmed all around with Cluny bobbin lace edging. (Bedspreads often are edged only on three sides, leaving the top side plain.)

The cutwork designs may seem odd to modern eyes but I think they are scenes from mythology and the Old Testament. From time immemorial, and even up through the Renaissance, it was common to mix biblical scenes with representations of older gods and myths. For example, the ceiling of the Sistene Chapel combines ancestors of Christ with ancient soothsayers, sybils and scenes from Old Testament.

One scene depicts a stork feeding a dog and another one shows a man reclining. (Joseph's dream?) The panel with a large bird /stork feeding a dog could possibly be the fable of the fox and the grapes? I think that another panel may represent David and Goliath and one may be the return of the prodigal son. Another one shows a person with a market basket and a horse. (maybe that sounds like a familiar story, myth or legend to you? I can't identify it but I do love the look and the challenge as well as the finished piece.)

This exquisite antique cutwork and embroidered white linen bedcover has a dozen square linen panels connected with handmade bobbin lace. The twelve panels alternate between interesting figural cutwork scenes and filet lace (lacis: French, pronounced "lah-see") insertions. The insertions, which are surrounded by cutwork scrolls, depict mythological gods including Saturnus / Saturn, PYRAME / Pyramis, Ceres, Automne (Autumn), an Eagle, and AGRACH.

These are surrounded by cutwork borders and some also have exquisite point de Venise lace insertions of kings and queens' portrait heads in exquisite detail. (One of the portraits is damaged.) The sides are embroidered with eyelet swags that contain figural diamond-shaped filet lace insertions. The fabric is fabulous and the design is incredible.

A similar, but far less elaborate, bedspread is shown on page 84 of 20th Century Linens and Lace by Scofield and Zalamea. The bedspread in the book has only six center panels, three in cutwork and three in lacis. The same "stork and dog" panel is enlarged on page 85. The spread in the book does not have Point de Venise lace.

The workmanship on this piece is excellent and the piece as a whole is interesting and beautiful. The embroidery is very well sewn but the hand which snipped away the cutwork was less precise, leaving some uncut portions and some fuzzy threads. The panel in the book displays this same combination of exquisite sewing and barely adequate cutting making me wonder if the panels originated in the same convent or workroom.

It measures 85x100" The condition is excellent although not flawless; there are some losses and breaks in the lace. In the Pyrame insert, there is a hole in the filet. A hole in the lower left corner of the linen has been patched. In comparison the the large size, the rarity and the exquisite work, the damage is relatively minor. It is breathtaking! Italy, c. 19th century.

Stock 19786.