Drie stukken 16de-eeuws kant geproduceerd in Genua, uit de collectie van het Kunstgewerbemuseum in Dresden, Duitsland 1888

These three pieces of 16th-century lace, originating from Genoa and now part of the Kunstgewerbemuseum's collection in Dresden, present a fascinating study in form and function. The arrangement of the lace pieces on the page invites a comparative analysis, contrasting linear bands with the curved expanse of what appears to be a collar. The geometric precision in the lace-making craft, seen in both the repeated motifs and overall structure, suggests a symbolic order beyond mere ornamentation. Each pattern, from the intricate frieze-like band at the top to the more open, floral-inspired collar at the bottom, implies a distinct semiotic language. The use of negative space is as important as the material itself. The interplay between what is present and what is absent challenges fixed notions of surface and depth. Ultimately, the visual dialogue between the pieces destabilizes any singular interpretation. This opens us up to the broader cultural discourses around luxury, identity and representation in the 16th century.