Carolina
The history of lace in Catalonia seems to begin during the Sixteenth (XVI) Century. Although bobbin lace was the most popular, a needlepoint called "Point of catalonia", similar to reticella italiana was very popular.

In the Seventeenth (XVII) and Eighteenth Centuries, metallic laces worked with gold and silver threads were used to decorate ecclesiastical articles and the Madonna's dresses. These laces were exported all over Europe.
However, even the poorest parishes used the same techniques to make lace using less costly threads (pitta).

During the Eighteenth Century lace making became an important industry. It was organised so that designers supplied the patterns and materials to lacemakers who worked the lace in their homes. The laces used the different techniques of silk, blondes and Chantilly. Sometimes these laces used both bobin lace and needle lace altogether. They were greatly influenced by the French laces. Later, these lace evolved to fine linen laces named "Catalonian Blonda" or "Puntes d'Arenys", the last one for the village from they were originated.
From Catalonia,  laces were exported to other parts of Spain, France and North and South America
Laces in Catalonia
Laces in clothing


Between second half of Sixteen Century and first of the Eighteen Century, both men's and women's clothing were decorated with laces (collars, cuffs, dress front), but by the Nineteenth Century lace was worn only by women.
Lace was used to trim some clothes, but some pieces were made entirely of lace. One of the more traditional items of clothing is the "Mantilla espaņola" (Spanish veil).
It can be shaped as a rectangular cloth or with a fish form, it can also be triangular "pollitas". Laces were worked mainly in bobbinlace, especially the blonda and the Chantilly (S. XVIII). Blonda used a soft silk to better carry out the designs. Sometimes designs are worked to produce an effect of lights and darks, sometimes are filled. Chantilly is worked with only one twisted silk thread which is very fine and gives the appearance of great fineness and transparency to the lace. These pieces were decorated not only with floral motifs but also with landscapes and human figures.
Outside Spain these "mantillas" were worn as shawls.
Today the "mantilla espaņola" is worn in Andalucia and Castilla in extraordinary opportunities, as are Holy Weeek Processions, weddings and birthdays. You can see Her Majesty the Queen of Spain wearing it on these occasions.
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