Manuscript embroidery or needle-work pattern book, presented to Leonora Vigoleno

The volume is hand-coloured. The drawings are sketched in ink outline with colour wash. The designs show borders, mostly floral but also including abstract and classical repeat patterns, together with some corner patterns and individual motifs.

Quarto. Title page within floral border and with finely drawn crane motif, stitched into 18th century past-paper boards.

Vaghi lavori delle donne presenta/ti alla virtuosa e nobile / Leonora Vigoleno / la qual opera dissegnata da mi / Lunardo Bergamin potra dar gran / fruto all degna et ingegnosa si/gnora col suo pronto ingegno et po/tra essere di suo servito al bisogno / Brixia, October 1538

This manuscript embroidery or needle-work pattern book is based on a sixteenth century pattern which was designed by Lunardo Bergamin and presented to Leonora Vigoleno. The contents are inspired by early pattern books by Tagliente etc., and are similar in design to those of Elisabetta Catanea Parsole (1565-1625), the most famous Italian lace designer and wood engraver of her time.

Open to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance of visit.

Catalogued by Graeme D. Eddie 15 January 2013

Purchased March 2012. Accession no: E2012.61