This lace collar is an excellent representative example of the nanduti lace making technique of Paraguay. The wheel-based (ruedas) design originated in Spain and Portugal in the 1700s and was introduced to the Canary Islands and South American countries by the conquistadors and missionaries.

Wheel-based laces are distinguished by their geographical location. The name ruedas (wheel) is associated with Spain, nanduti (spider's web) with Paraguay, sol (sun) with Brazil, tucuman with Argentina, and Teneriffe with the Canary Islands. The nanduti design most closely resembles the lace-making technique that originated in Spain and is distinguished by the inclusion of palm-leaf shapes along with the wheel motif. Very little good quality older pieces of nanduti are available making pieces like this collar highly collectable. This collar is significant for the intricacy of its design and quality of workmanship. The collar also represents a traditional Spanish lace making technique that was introduced to Paraguay and has been in use almost continuously over the last 300-400 years.

This collar is an example of a wheel-based lace with the easily recognisable round motifs of ruedas (wheel) or woven patterns with rays radiating from the centre of the roundel - sol (sun). Wheel-based laces are needle-woven over an array of freely arranged threads to make a distinctive type of lace most commonly associated with South America. The wheel-based (ruedas) design originated in Spain and Portugal in the 1700s and was introduced to the Canary Islands and South American countries by the conquistadors and missionaries.

Wheel-based laces are distinguished by their geographical location. The name ruedas (wheel) is associated with Spain, nanduti (spider's web) with Paraguay, sol (sun) with Brazil, tucuman with Argentina, and Teneriffe with the Canary Islands. The nanduti design most closely resembles the lace-making technique that originated in Spain and is distinguished by the inclusion of palm-leaf shapes along with the wheel motif.

A long blunt-tipped slightly curved needle that is flattened at the tip to enable the needle to pass more easily through the web is used to make the lace.

Collar, nanduti lace, keyhole shape, silk, maker unknown, Paraguay, 1890-1920

A keyhole shaped gold silk lace collar. The collar features a design of nine wheel like motifs with radiating star points surrounded by an intricate knotted background and motifs featuring concentric circle patterns. The collar had a large scallop edged border.

Made: Paraguay; 1890 - 1920

No marks.

2007/134/5

1890 - 1920

500 mm