presepio figure, female, unknown maker from Italy

Artwork Overview

presepio figure, female , circa 1770s
Where object was made: Naples, Italy
Material/technique: lace; paint; wire; twine; cotton; appliqué; wood; terracotta; silk; brocading
Dimensions:
Object Height (Height): 42 cm
Object Height (Height): 16 9/16 in
Credit line: William Bridges Thayer Memorial
Accession number: 0000.1808
Not on display

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Images

Label texts

Civic Leader and Art Collector: Sallie Casey Thayer and an Art Museum for KU
Lace is the star of this presepio figure’s outfit. The lace lining the overskirt of the dress is handmade bobbin lace—made by weaving many threads together—while the lace lining the bottom of the dress is machine-made. Because machine-made lace did not emerge until after 1808, it is possible that this figure has either been modified over time or was created during the 19th century. Tap the image above and swipe to view another side of the figure.
Civic Leader and Art Collector: Sallie Casey Thayer and an Art Museum for KU
Lace is the star of this presepio figure’s outfit. The lace lining the overskirt of the dress is handmade bobbin lace—made by weaving many threads together—while the lace lining the bottom of the dress is machine-made. Because machine-made lace did not emerge until after 1808, it is possible that this figure has either been modified over time or was created during the 19th century.

Exhibitions

Citations

Davison, Emma Frances. "Communities of Learners through the Centuries: The Thayer Presepio." In Perspectives on a Legacy Collection: Sallie Casey Thayer’s Gift to the University of Kansas (2020): 120–139.