| Lacemaking in Croatia | |
|---|---|
 Lace from Pag | |
| Country | Croatia |
| Reference | 00245 |
| Region | Europe and North America |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 2009 (4th session) |
| List | Representative |
Lacemaking in Croatia (Croatian:Čipkarstvo u Hrvatskoj) is a tradition dating back to theRenaissance when lacemaking began spreading throughout theMediterranean[1] and continentalEurope. Throughout the years, Croatian lace has become notable for its unique patterns and designs. In 2009,UNESCO recognised lacemaking in Croatia as anIntangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.[2]
Today in Croatia, there are several centres of lacemaking tradition, most notably theAdriatic towns ofPag andHvar, the northern town ofLepoglava, and theSveta Marija village in theMeđimurje County.
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Pag lace ismade by needle-point and consists of spider web pattern embellishments and numerous geometrical motifs. The finished product is very firm, and unlike other Croatian laces, can be washed.
Lace inPag is still made today in the traditional fashion from centuries ago, and a school has opened to keep the lacemaking tradition alive.[3]
Lepoglava lace is a closely workedbobbin lace, with its structure consisting of a combination of stylized geometric, floral, and animal motifs and patterns. A flax or cotton thread is used, always in the color white, and comes in various shapes and sizes.
Lacemaking inLepoglava began production in the late 19th century, reaching its "Golden Age" between the two World Wars.[4] During this time, the lace won many competitions at international exhibitions: inParis 1937 it won a gold medal, and two years later it won a bronze inBerlin.[5] This era was one of great prosperity for Lepoglava lace.
An international lace festival is held in Lepoglava every year in September in honour of the town's lacemaking culture.[6]
Hvar lace is unique in that the thread is collected from the aloe leaves ofagave plants that grow on the island.[7] The leaves are picked at a certain time of the year and are then specially processed to produce a thin, white thread.
The Benedictine nuns in the town ofHvar are the only ones who make the Hvar lace, which is also called "aloe lace".[8]
Lace types | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Needle lace |
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| Bobbin lace |
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| Tape lace | |||||||||
| Crocheted lace | |||||||||
| Machine-made lace | |||||||||
| Other handmade laces | |||||||||
