| CODE | LAS2078 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Maltese Lace Advanced Approach 2, ‘tal-Balla’ Lace | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | H - Higher Level | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Centre for the Liberal Arts and Sciences | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | ‘Tal-Balla’ lace is a unique style forming a particular characteristic in Maltese Lace. As the name indicates this was introduced in Malta since early 17th century when cotton products were exported from Malta to the Iberian Peninsula from where cotton merchants copied the technique of this stitch and introduced its teaching in local convents in view of starting the export of such lace along with cotton weavings. While the English Stitch became a symbol of commercial Maltese lace, the ‘tal-balla’ Stitch (meaning the seed of the cotton bol) was adopted to Church Laces. Both stitches were widely developed in Gozo during the 19th century especially when floral motifs and religious figures started to be inserted in Gozo lace designs. Since LAS2074; Maltese Lace an Advance Approach is already offered for teaching the English Stitch, it was requested by students to offer the ‘Tal-Balla’ Stitch Unit as well. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the Unit the student will be able to: - Recognize tal-Balla characteristics in Maltese Lace. - Adapt the right thickness of thread to each individual tal-Balla design. - Draw a sample of tal-Balla design and work it. - Introduction of the shape of Vine leaf in tal-Balla drawing. - Work the above shape simultaneously with tal-Balla ground. - Make a simple design for a Pal including the vine leaf / sheaf of corn on tal-Balla ground. (This design may be used for the individual project). 2. Skills: By the end of the Unit the student will be able to: - Compare the aesthetic effect of tal-Balla Stitch with other stitches already learnt. - Study the difference resulting in the work when mixing different styles and stitches found in Maltese Lace. - Attribute old lace pieces to their relative designer by tracing the method of working tal-Balla stitches. - Dating old lace by following tal-Balla designs. - Dissection of a wide pattern including tal-Balla designs. - Suggesting on the best way to draw the lace for an Alb flounce, normally based on tal-Balla ground. - Calculate roughly the estimation of cost for designing, thread needed and labour for an Alb of normal height – consider including sleeves. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: C. Azzopardi (2005), Gozo Lace An Introduction to Lacemaking. C. Azzopardi (2019), Maltese Lace History & Mystery, Kite Group, Malta. Lace Day Patterns – Koperattiva Għawdxija tal-Bizzilla u Artiġjanat Ltd. Is-Seher tal-Bizzilla – Magazine in English & Maltese published by VO OIDFA (Malta). OIDFA Bulletin – quarterly magazine in English & French published by The International Needle and Bobbin Lace. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Knowledge, Skills and Competences: LAS1082, LAS2050 or Diploma in Lace Studies or equivalent | ||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Fieldwork, Lecture, Practical, Practicum and Proje | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Consiglia Azzopardi (Co-ord.) David Azzopardi |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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