Cav. Merli.
In the Albert Museum of Exeter are several of these tallies marked with the names of their owners—Bianca, Maria Crocera, and others.
"Many skilful lace-makers in Italy have for some time imitated the old laces and sold them as such to travellers. A Venetian lace-worker, now residing at Ferrara, can copy any old lace known" (Mrs. Palliser, 1864).
This lappet, 357-68, in the Victoria and Albert Museum collection, was described by Mrs. Palliser as "Argentella," and supposed to be of Genoese workmanship. "Formerly much of it was to be met with in the curiosity shops of that city, but now it is of rare occurrence. The Duchess of Genoa possesses a splendid flounce of the same lace, with the Doria eagle introduced into the pattern. It formerly belonged to the Marchesa Barbaretta Saule" (Mrs. Palliser, History of Lace, 1864). Contessa di Brazza suggests that Argentella was the Italian for Argentan.
Called by the people of the Riviera, filo del baccalà di Castellaro. Aloe fibre was formerly used for thread (Letter of Sig. C. G. Schiappapietra). It is also styled filo di freta in the Venetian sumptuary ordinances.