Les Secondes Oeuvres, et Subtiles Inventions De Lingerie du Seigneur Federic de Vinciolo Venitien, page 66 (recto)

This is page 66 from Federico de Vinciolo's "Les Secondes Oeuvres," published in the late 16th century, and it offers us a glimpse into the world of Renaissance lacemaking. The page is made of paper, likely produced using a mould and deckle, and the text is printed using a moveable type press. Consider the immense labour involved in producing a book like this. From the preparation of the paper and ink, to the typesetting and printing, it would involve many hands. And this is before we even get to the lace patterns that the book contains. These designs weren't just artistic flourishes; they were technical drawings, made to be translated into intricate needlework. These patterns could be used to create luxury goods. In a way, it's a manual for participation in a complex web of skilled labour, elite consumption, and the burgeoning fashion industry. It collapses our assumptions about design, craft, and commerce during the period.