PRESENZA - When Work Becomes a Trade
Filomena Di Lemme, Carmelina Gentile Piccinini, Zita Pulcini, Lacemakers
Filomena
Di Lemme, Carmelina Gentile
Piccinini,
Zita Pulcini, Lacemakers

Luciana Bordignon, Designer
Luciana
Bordignon,
Designer

Arts of the Needle

Embroidery is one of the oldest applied arts in Italy, dating back to the Etruscans. Lacemaking appeared in Venice during the Renaissance and spread from there to many other places in the country.

In the native villages, it was common for young girls to learn these arts of the needle, especially so that they could put together a corredo (trousseau). Families often exchanged embroidered items adorned with lace as gifts. And in several villages, lace also provided a significant source of income for women, whose work was sold in Italian cities and abroad.

Many women have continued to practise these arts in Canada for the sheer pleasure they provide. Some of their lacework and embroidery is shown here, including the al tombolo (bobbin lace) pieces.

Arts of the Needle Photo: Steven Darby, CMC CD2004-1169 D2004 - 18522
Tablecloth with bobbin lace (detail) Photo: Steven Darby, CMC CD2004-1169 D2004 - 18517
Tablecloth with bobbin lace (detail)
Made by Filomena Di Lemme, Antonietta Di Lemme and Mrs. Ramontelli
Molise region, Italy
1954
Used in Canada
Linen, cotton
Lent by Filomena Di Lemme
Bedspread with cross-stitch embroidery and crochet inserts (detail) Photo: Steven Darby, CMC CD2004-1169 D2004 - 18517
Bedspread with cross-stitch embroidery and crochet inserts (detail)
Made by Alice Molinari
Emilia-Romagna region, Italy
1920s
Used in Canada
Linen, cotton
Lent by Loraine Mazzella Maiolo
Tablecloth with Assisi embroidery (detail) Photo: Steven Darby, CMC CD2004-1169 D2004 - 18517
Tablecloth with Assisi
embroidery
(detail)
Made by Anna Pizzuti Ciliberto
Canada
1994-1995
Linen, cotton
Lent by Anna Pizzuti Ciliberto
Curtain with Italian cutwork embroidery (detail) Photo: Steven Darby, CMC CD2004-1169 D2004 - 18516
Curtain with Italian cutwork embroidery (detail)
Made by Isa Mazzella
U.S.A.
1950s
Used in Canada
Cotton
Lent by Loraine Mazzella Maiolo
Cross-stitch embroidery Photo: Steven Darby, CMC CD2004-1169 D2004 - 18519
Cross-stitch embroidery
Made by Petronilla P. Costanza
Sicily region, Italy
1959
Linen, cotton
Lent by Petronilla P. Costanza
Jupe perlée Photo: Steven Darby, CMC CD2004-1169 D2004 - 18521
Bobbin-lace doily Photo: Steven Darby, CMC CD2004-1169 D2004 - 18518
Bobbin-lace doily
Made by Zita Monti Pulcini
Canada
2003
Cotton
Lent by Zita Monti Pulcini

Zita Monti Pulcini learned how to make bobbin lace from a friend in her hometown in the Marches region. In 1988, lacemakers from the Marches who were visiting Montreal encouraged her to take up the art again, almost 30 years after she had abandoned it.
Lacemaker's pillow Photo: Steven Darby, CMC CD2004-1169 D2004 - 18520
Lacemaker's pillow
Made by Zita Monti Pulcini
Canada
c. 2000
Cotton, wood, sand, metal
Lent by Zita Monti Pulcini
Bobbin-lace gloves Photo: Steven Darby, CMC CD2004-1169 D2004 - 18510
Bobbin-lace gloves
Made by Filomena Di Lemme
Molise region, Italy
1954
Cotton
Lent by Filomena Di Lemme

Filomena Di Lemme is from the city of Isernia, in the Molise region, which is famous for its bobbin lace. Handmade by women, the lace was sold in Italian cities and abroad. Like most of the women in her hometown, Mrs. Di Lemme learned her craft from her mother when she was a child. Here in Canada, she continues to make bobbin lace as a hobby.
Beaded skirt Photo: Steven Darby, CMC CD2004-1169 D2004 - 18544
Beaded skirt
Made by Luciana Bordignon
Canada
1988
Cotton, polyester, glass beads
Lent by Luciana Bordignon

Luciana Bordignon learned the art of embroidery from her mother. Today, she produces both traditional pieces and more contemporary works inspired by traditional motifs, such as this skirt.