7
Lefkaritiko
Embroidery Lace of Athienou (Ethnographic Collection of the
Kallinikio Municipal Museum of Athienou)
Pipilla from Lapithos
“Pipilla” Lace (originating from the Kilani,
Omodos and Lapithos communities)
Nowadays, the art of “pipilla” lace is practised
by embroiderers from Kilani, Omodos and
Lapithos. In the old days, Nicosia, Larnaca,
Paphos and Famagusta were also involved
in manufacturing “pipilla” lace. “Pipilla” is
a delicate openwork lace done by hand with
needle and thread, with the bonding of dense
and sparse knots tied in the air. According to
oral tradition, it is believed to have originated
from Byzantium. Both its technique and its
designs are strikingly similar to those used
to make lace in Constantinople, Smyrna and
Eastern Aegean islands. Similar laces can be
found in Greece and Turkey, as well as the Asia
Minor coasts, Constantinople and particularly
the islands of Crete, Rhodes, Chios, Psara,
Samos and Skyros.
“Pittoti” Embroidery Lace of Athienou
(Venice type)
“Pittoti” embroidery lace (Venice style,
“reticella”) can be found in the Larnaca district
community of Athienou. In the first few decades
of the 20
th
century, Athienou, along with the
villages of Melini, Skarinou, Kato Drys, Vavla,
Vavatsinia, Ora, Tochni, Louroujina, Tremetousia
and Melousia contributed, to a great extent, to the
production of “pittoti” lace in order to meet the
great demand for it from abroad, according to the
orders received, first by the embroidery dealers
of Lefkara, and then by their counterparts from
Athienou. “Pittoti” embroidery lace is a hand-
made lace, which is done using a special pad
with good quality cotton thread. The tradition
has continued in Athienou, but to a very limited
extent, which prompted the community to create
a centre to promote and educate people about
