The "punto Venezia tagliato a fogliame a grosso rilievo" named by the French Gros Point de Venise, was characteristically three-dimensional thanks to the padding that created a raised, almost sculpted effect. It was created in the first half of the seventeenth century by the creativity of Venetian lace makers and it became an instant success in all European courts. The "padded" effect that made the lace resemble a bas-relief was obtained outlining the profile of some motives with a bunch of threads that were later covered with buttonhole stitch, called "cappa" in Venice, that was inimitable with bobbin lace.

The decorative motives are typically Baroque floral volutes and leaves, while a lot of interest was raised by the oriental-style influence of flowers such as tulips, pomegranates, carnations, irises and many others .

This very rich lace was particularly appreciated by men that used it extensively, one of the first being young Louis XIV, the Sun King, who introduced the fashion of the reversed collar, or Col Rabat, composed of two rectangles of Gros Point lace knotted under the chin.

Further readings:

Cfr. D.D. Poli, Il Merletto Veneziano, Novara, 1998,
A. Kraatz, Merletti, Milano, 1988.