Fragment of a Border with Standing and Seated Birds Amidst Vegetation, 1500s. Italy, 16th century. Needle lace, burato (twined ground and darned in one direction); bleached linen (est.); overall: 40.1 x 46.4 cm (15 13/16 x 18 1/4 in.). Three distinct bird species appear in this fragment distinguished through their body, neck, and feather shapes. In the period this lace was created, there was growing interest in the scientific study of birds, called ornithology. Ornithological books and prints depicted accurate records of birds, which deviated from previous fanciful portrayals.