16th century
The origins
Pillow lace does not appear before the early sixteenth century. It arises almost simultaneously in Flanders and Venice, with two different techniques, the bobbin and the needle, but with the same aesthetic aim.
Home / The Atelier
Once upon a time,
in Scanno…
…a lace-maker and a goldsmith. A couple at work as in life, determined to make tradition current and modern.
Il Gioiello del Tombolo
A new product, born from two crafts
Thanks to Federica's mastery of tombolo lace and Francesco's experience in goldsmithing, in 2012 a patented, unique jewel, never seen before, was born.
The creations are made entirely by hand and rely on two methods that the two artisans studied, invented and perfected: Micro tombolo and the perforated metal anchoring system for textile work.
1967
Francesco Rotolo is born in Scanno. He grows up in his father Dino's workshop and falls in love with the goldsmith's art.
2012
Il Gioiello del Tombolo is born, a patented product that unites lace and goldsmithing.
Today
Every piece is still made by hand in Scanno and takes days, weeks, sometimes months.
A tradition of Scanno
The history of tombolo lace
Abruzzo
Tombolo in Scanno
According to some accounts, the technique reached Scanno with the wives of Lombard master builders, who taught it to local women during the long winters. Lace entered trousseaus and family treasures.
The craft
Agility and synchrony
An art that demands agility of hands and mind: pillow, thread, bobbins and pins, following patterns handed down or reinvented, with names tied to the local dialect.
Come and see us
Step into the workshop
We will tell you how a tombolo jewel is born, from the drawing to the setting.