The Sea byssus (Bisso di Mare) presented by Chiara Vigo
The Sea byssus is a fibre obatined from the largest Mediterranean bivalve mollusc, known as Pinna Nobilis.
To our knowledge, this fabric has been woven since the mists of time and because of its particular production methods, it cannot possibly be commercialised: master weavers today keep on weaving byssus threads for the sake of its preservation and dedicate their entire lives to this practice.


Only one master only jealously guards the secret of byssus production and hands it on to another master only upon the oath to preserve the original technique and to pass it down unchanged to another master






"Asfodelo" Sea byssus.
A present for Italia Invita patners by Chiara Vigo

Information on bisso marino and Chiara Vigo: http://sardolog.org/bisso/




Bruno Tessa's Hemp
Bruno Tessa has always been keen on weaving. In 1990, after retiring from teaching at the primary school, he revived the local tradition of weaving hemp and has recently begun to grow and spin it.




Bruno Tessa to the work.
Hemp weaving was a very popular activity in Coazze in Valsangone Valley (Piedmont) between the 18th and 20th century. In his area Bruno Tessa will introduce the visitors to his activity by showing pictures and demonstrating work techniques.




Elisa Ricci's Area - Bianca Rosa Bellomo
This space is aimed at both gaining and giving information about one of the most outstanding craft scholars in the early 20th century.
Visitors will have access to publications as well as to all information existing so far, while their help will be sought in the research study that Bianca Rosa Bellomo is currently carrying out to reconstruct Elisa Ricci’s biography and bibliography.

Elisa Ricci was in touch with many people (collectors, antiquarians, scholars, lacemakers, embroiderers) from all over Italy. Finding out new collections, archives, correspondence and descendants will mean going deeper into the knowledge of the years of the revival and splendour of artistic handicrafts.
"Elisa Ricci: embroideries, laces, books" the lecture's title of Bianca Rosa Bellomo. Text of lecture into the book "Italian Laces and Embroideries".




Guest Events

• O.I.D.F.A - Organisation International Dentelles aux Fuseaux et à l’Aiguille. Next Congress Athens, Greece 2006
• Tønder Kniplings Festival Triennial Bobbin Festival over 3 days in Tønder - Denmark. Next festival: 2007 - June 1.-3
• Knitting and Stitching Shows (every year) Next events: London 13 - 16 October 2005; Dublin 3 - 6 November 2005; Harrogate 24 - 27 November 2005
• VSS-FDS Swiss Lacemakers National Association Next event: Jegenstorf (Bern) 28 May 2005
• Valtopina Exhibition of hand embroidery and handcrafted cloth. Annual meeting of lace and embroidery schools (the first week-end of September)
• XII International Lace Biennial of Sansepolcro Next event: September/October 2006