Manuscript album of designs for lace and embroidery 1591 - 1601

This manuscript album, created sometime between 1591 and 1601, is an anonymous collection of designs for lace and embroidery. The album is divided into small squares, each containing a different design for stitching. Designs in the album include stylized animals such as peacocks, dragons, and deer, as well as geometric patterns. This type of album was common in the late Renaissance, and served as inspiration for craftspeople who were creating embroidered textiles for personal use and for sale. The designs demonstrate the creativity and skill of the craftspeople of the time, as well as the popularity of intricate decorative patterns in fashion. The album is now part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.