The Venetian Lagoon is famous for its prestigious glass but less known is its historic association with lace making, which is celebrated at the Museo del Merletto (Lace Museum) on the island of Burano. The small island lies some four miles from Venice and is accessible by a vaporetto motorboat, making even the journey to the museum a picturesque one.
Lace making became a pastime for women on Burano in the 16th century, but took off as an industry locally when a lace-making school opened there in 1872. The museum is located in the historic palace of Podestà of Torcello, which was home to the school until it closed in 1970. The extensive collection comprises some exquisite examples of the craft: delicate needlepoint, richly embroidered jackets, dresses and ceremonial robes, as well as elaborately decorated handkerchiefs, capes, gloves collars, caps and shawls. Old pattern books are packed with designs ranging from the geometric to the grotesque and floral arrangements to sporting motifs. Visitors can see everything to do with lace from bobbins and pillows to tatting needles and braiding thread.
The museum is a revelation because it recounts the story of an industry staffed largely by women, the association of lace with the aristocracy and the many forms lace patterns have taken over the centuries to reflect contemporary taste and fashion.
The Museo del Merletto is open daily except Mondays from 10am to 4.30pm. The entrance fee is €5.
Where: Museo del Merletto, Piazza Galuppi, Burano (Venice).
Website: http://museomerletto.visitmuve.it/en/home/
