NANDUTI LACE

Nanduti work is specific type of lace that comes mainly from Paraguay to a lesser extent other neighboring countries. It originated in the western Spain region of Extremadura in the 18th century, and not much later was introduced by Spanish colonialists to the indigenous rural population of Paraguay and strangely enough, also to the local population of Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands.

In both places the techniques evolved differently and can be told apart visually. The Tenerife version is called Sol or Sun lace because of the typical circular elements while the Paraguayan lace is called Nanduti or Spiderweb lace.

The design of Nanduti lace is of circular elements established in a concentric design and the production is done in multiple stages involving drawing, stretching on a frame, embroidering in mostly darning stitch, pulling threadwork and cutting off the unworked areas. Most Nanduti and Sole lace is monochromatic making this rather large lace a lively display of exquisite, precise handwork and sophisticated palette which indicates an urban origin.