Croatia Lace Origin and Status
The origin of the Croatia lace dates back over 500 years. It first came with Christian religious groups who settled in various places in the country. Today Croatian lace is mainly rooted in 3 famous cities.
Croatia Lace Origin
The oldest testimony of lace making origin in Croatia dates from the 15th century, mentioned in the minutes of the Dubrovnik Senat. This period was also the European Renaissance.
In April 2009, UNESCO announced that lace’s unique hand-crafted technique coming from Hvar Island (agave lace), Pag Island (needle-tip lace), and the small town of Lepoglava (bobbin lace, in northern Croatia), were registered as a world intangible cultural and educational heritage.
Pag needle-point lace was originally used in the manufacture of ecclesiastical garments, tablecloths, and ornaments for clothing, with geometric spider web patterns. After hundreds of years of prosperity and decline, a one-year knitting course is now taught by older women in town. Lepoglava bobbin lace is made by braiding thread wound on spindles, or bobbins, it is often used to make lace ribbons for folk costumes or is sold at village fairs. The agave lace is made only by the Benedictine nuns in the town of Hvar. It is woven with thin threads made from fibers of fresh agave leaves planted on the island. Hvar is the only one place producing agave lace in the world.
Video
Please watch this video about the three intangible cultural heritage lace making.
