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Fragment of a Band with Vines Surrounding a Monkey, Lion, and an Unidentified Four-Legged Animal

16th century
needle lace, filet/lacis (knotted ground and darned in two directions); bleached linen (est.)
Overall: 20.1 x 80.5 cm (7 15/16 x 31 11/16 in.)
Gift of J. H. Wade 1920.1159
Location: not on view
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Did You Know?

Monkeys were captured from Africa, Brazil, and India between the 15th and 17th centuries at the height of overseas exploration and sold as expensive, exotic pets to affluent European customers.

Description

Most surviving pieces of figural lace are horizontal, making the vertical orientation of this band unique. The monkey, lion, and perhaps lioness or other feline are not native to Italy and represent exoticism and the notion of increasing international exchange at the time.
Fragment of a Band with Vines Surrounding a Monkey, Lion, and an Unidentified Four-Legged Animal

Fragment of a Band with Vines Surrounding a Monkey, Lion, and an Unidentified Four-Legged Animal

16th century

Italy, 16th century

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