Lacemaking in Malta dates back to the 1600s, during the occupation of the Knights of St John
Today marks the 100th anniversary of the passing of Dun Guzepp Diacono, who lived between 1847 and 1924. Aside from being known as a parish priest serving in various localities in Gozo, Dun Guzepp Diacono was also the founder of Casa Industriale, where young girls and women were taught the skill of Gozo lace making.
To mark the occasion, the National Archives of Malta have shared an image from the Gozo Archives, showing a group of such women engaged in creating ‘bizzilla’, the Maltese word for lace.
Lacemaking is an important tradition in Malta and Gozo, dating back to the period during which the Knights of St John occupied Malta in the 1600s. Although Maltese lace was directly influenced by Genoese lace, it can often be easily distinguished from lace of any other nation by the Maltese eight-pointed cross, which characterises many of the lace patterns still seen today.
As can seen in the old photograph, the lace is made using various threads attached to bobbins. The pattern is first drawn on parchment paper, with holes pricked to show where the pins should be placed. These pins serve to maintain the linen threads stable whilst the lace is made.
Although the popularity of lacemaking in Malta and Gozo is not what it was a couple of centuries ago, there is still quite a good number of people teaching and learning the craft to this day.
Have you ever seen a local lacemaker at work?