Antique Maltese Lace Doily - MALTA - Silk Bobbin Lace with Floral & Leaf Motifs

An antique Maltese lace piece, purchased in Italy, dating from approximately 1860-1910.

This is a beautiful oval doily, originating from the island of Malta, a Mediterranean archipelago south of Italy. It is crafted from pale golden, lustrous, egg-yolk colored silk threads using dozens of Maltese bobbins.

A rare piece, it features the word MALTA intricately woven into the lace in the center, celebrating and signifying its origin as genuine Maltese lace.

Dimensions: Length 28.5 cm, Width 18 cm. It is very light, smooth, and lustrous.

The doily is adorned with seven large (approx. 6 cm) Maltese Cross motifs, its most distinctive feature, with small flowers scattered throughout. It is photographed alongside a detachable collar for comparison.

Maltese lace, a specialty craft of Malta when it was a British colony, was praised as silk jewelry. Most of it was purchased by British royalty, aristocrats, and the wealthy. It was so expensive that even a commoner's entire lifetime earnings would not have been enough to buy even a small piece of lace.

The Maltese Cross, resembling four leaves joined together, is often compared to a four-leaf clover. Its actual characteristic is having eight points. Four V-shaped crests are joined at the base, with the tips of the V's pointing inward and forming corners.

Originally, it was the symbol of the small republic of Amalfi in the 11th century. Later, it was adopted as the symbol of the Knights Hospitaller of St. John of Malta (one of the three major knightly orders of medieval Europe), a Christian knightly order. Their mission was to protect Christian pilgrims visiting the Holy Land, and the order also functioned as a hospital. Eventually, they became a major force in defending the Holy Land and fighting against the Islamic forces.

The eight points are said to symbolize the eight virtues of the knights, as well as the eight homelands of the warriors who gathered to join the order.

The eight virtues:
Loyalty, piety, honesty, bravery, honor,
fearlessness in the face of death, protection of the weak, and respect for the Church.

The supreme spirit and aspiration, and practice of these noble virtues, were revered in many European countries and institutions, leading to numerous prestigious honors.

The Maltese Cross required immense effort, time, and skill to create.

While this doily does not feature the cross itself, it is densely embroidered with charming small flowers and proudly displays the word MALTA, signifying its origin from a proud island that was a thriving trade hub and a crucial defensive stronghold.

Purchased from the same shop as the detachable collar, it matches in color and is in excellent condition with no stains, dirt, or damage.

Featured in the book The World Is Full of Things to Desire.

The editor-in-chief of Claire Traveler was also captivated and purchased several items at the island's oldest lace shop.

We hope it will be useful to the person who is looking for it or who has taken a liking to it. ✧＊