Antique Punched Shirt from Valsesia, Italy Ladies' shirt featuring high-quality punched embroidery lace. Estimated manufacturing date is from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. All handmade. Punched work is a traditional embroidery lace technique using extremely fine cotton thread and a sewing needle, passed down through the ages. It is very labor-intensive and difficult, taking about a month to complete one "stella" (approx. 8 x 8 cm) lace. The origin of punched work is in the Italian Alps, started by the "Walser," a minority ethnic group. Punched work from Valsesia, Italy, is very famous. This shirt is from Valsesia and was made by the Zucchetti family of Sabbia, Italy. This fabric is usually woven on a very slow loom. The material is typically 100% cotton or cotton-linen. The shirt shows signs of wear, but is in very good condition and can still be worn. Cleaned (using delicate bleach). Size is as shown in the photos.