Milan Cathedral and Cyprus Lace, 500th Anniversary of the Visit of Leonardo da Vinci to Cyprus, Republic of Cyprus

Milan Cathedral and Cyprus Lace, 500th Anniversary of the Visit of Leonardo da Vinci to Cyprus, Republic of Cyprus

Postage stamps--Cyprus--History

Γραμματόσημα--Κύπρος--Ιστορία

Legend or not the tale is often told how in 1481 Leonardo da Vinci visited Cyprus and purchased Lefkara lace for the High Altar of the Cathedral of Milan. Lefkara lace and embroidery known as "Lefk ar itik a" are one of the oldest and most enduring of the folk arts of Cyprus and are well known in many countries of the world. The art is the pride of family generations from the lower and upper villages of Lefkara where the women even today can be seen sitting outside their homes busy working on some intricate designs for table cloths and other or namental items. The best pieces are worked on Irish linen and price depends on the complexity and quality of the embroidery or stitching. Classic designs of years gone by are now made only by special order for they require higher skills and are time consuming. Some antique masterpieces are housed in the Folk Art Museum in Nicosia and the village museum.in Nicosia and the village museum in Nicosia and the village museum. In 1930s and 1940s the men folk travelled to London, European cities and the United States selling "Lefkaritika" from door to door and they were very successful.

Cyprus Post, Republic of Cyprus

Κυπριακά Ταχυδρομεία, Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία

Cyprus Post, Republic of Cyprus

Κυπριακά Ταχυδρομεία, Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία

Library of Cyprus University of Technology

Digital Heritage Research Lab of Cyprus University of Technology

15th June 1981

Designer: A. Tassos

Απαγορεύεται η δημοσίευση ή αναπαραγωγή, ηλεκτρονική ή άλλη χωρίς τη γραπτή συγκατάθεση του δημιουργού.

www.cypruspost.gov.cy

TIFF

EL, EN

Image

1981-DA VINCI-175M

35.160417, 33.346556

Aspioti - Elka, Athens