Heritage in the making

The Malta Lace Competition, launched last October by Casa Rocca Piccola in Valletta and supported by the HSBC Cares For Malta's Heritage Fund, has produced an interesting display of about 88 items of contemporary Maltese lace.

"The piece of lace that won was a challenge," said Marquis Nicholas de Piro. "It was not only traditional, it was a powerful attempt to achieve something difficult. The smallness of the whole design gave it the kind of uniqueness you can find in a well-made miniature.

"With an excellent turnout, the contest drew an unexpectedly high standard of work in lace, with the finest pieces reaching important levels of skill and craftsmanship. These ranged from small dainty items such as lace flowers and miniatures to large pieces including collars, shawls, pictures, christening gowns, veils, tablemats and tablecloths."

Shaun Wallis, CEO HSBC said: "The HSBC Cares For Malta's Heritage Fund is pleased to have been involved in promoting the survival and development of this wonderful craft and heritage."

The item of lace unanimously judged as deserving the Lace Award 2007 was the smallest entry of all. Exquisitely worked, it achieved particular admiration from all the judges. The minute oval created in traditional dark beige fine linen lace thread is a reminder of the 19th century. It has a border of repetitive motifs including the eight-pointed cross, and a centrepiece in a variation of the English stitch ground. The exhibitor produced her original design, which she created on a larger scale, and later reduced to match the pattern to the right tension and thickness of the thread she wished to use.

"In raising the standards of our lacemakers, it is this manner of refinement and further knowledge of quality that must be encouraged," said Marquis de Piro. "This must be done to ensure that the live heritage of an outstanding craft can be extended to the next generation, strong and able to maintain not only proud memories but also a brilliant future."