VENICE.

41

VENICE.

Mrs. Termagant. “ I’ll spoil your point de Venise for you.

Shadwell , Squire of Alsalia.

“ Elle n’avoit point de mouchoir,

Mais un riche et tres beau peignoirlies plus ehers <le point de Venise,

En negligeance elle avoit raise.”

Le s Combats, &e. 1G63.

To Venice belongs the invention of the two most perfectproductions of the needle, “point coupe,” and the Venetian pointin relief (Fig. 21). In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries,the making of the first was almost universal in every household,

Fig. 22.

V

Veuetiau poiut.

but its use had become so general as to render it a commercialspeculation, and manufactories of it had been established indifferent countries. The richness of its Gothic patterns and thedelicacy of its workmanship rendered it specially calculated forthe enrichment and adorning of linen.

The “ punto in aria ” of the pattern books, worked on a parch-ment pattern, and connected by brides, comprised an infinite