Welcome to the enchanting world of Dalla Lidia Merletti d'Arte, where the timeless art of Burano lace art is passionately preserved and passed down through generations. Our company stands out for the exceptional quality of each piece, meticulously handcrafted according to the centuries-old traditions of the island. On this website, you can admire an exclusive selection of the precious creations available in our historic shop and the fascinating Lace Museum.

Our story's roots delve deep into 1930, a vibrant era when Burano flourished with numerous schools dedicated to the intricate craft of lacemaking. Among these, a prominent role was held by the school directed by Mrs. Erminia Costantini, affectionately known as “Mora Boccolo,” whose legacy of dedication and passion is now carried on by her great-grandson, Davide Bressanello, the current owner of Dalla Lidia Merletti d'Arte.

It was in that very year that “Mora Boccolo,” in anticipation of her daughter Augustina Bressanello's wedding, wished to commemorate the event by commissioning the skilled lacemakers of her school to create a magnificent wedding dress and an exquisite trousseau of rare beauty, comprising finely embroidered bed linens, delicate bedspreads, ethereal curtains, and elegant tablecloths. Every single stitch of this extraordinary work would be executed with the meticulous Punto Burano technique. However, aware of the vast undertaking and the considerable time required, “Mora Boccolo” decided to involve other renowned lace schools on the island, investing significant resources to ensure the perfection of the final result.

The challenging period of the war brought about a drastic decline in activity for the family school and all other institutions dedicated to the creation of precious Burano lace art. The lacemakers, often forced to work by the dim light of candles, demonstrated extraordinary resilience. It was in this context of hardship that Augustina, with an act of immeasurable generosity, decided to sell her treasured wedding dress to ensure the lacemakers' wages, thus preserving an ancient art that risked disappearing.

A tragic fire, most likely ignited by the candles used during the long working hours, severely damaged the Burano Lace School run by the nuns. The majority of the intricate lace designs, custodians of centuries of artisanal knowledge, were irretrievably destroyed, representing an incalculable loss for the community.

Upon returning from the war, “Mora Boccolo’s” son, Mario Bressanello, affectionately called “Boccolo,” united his life with that of his beloved Lidia Vio, nicknamed “Battelétto,” and with renewed spirit undertook the task of honoring his mother's legacy. “Boccolo” welcomed new lacemakers to the family school and began personally designing the lace patterns, relying only partially on external collaboration, with the significant exception of Mr. D’Este Emilio, a talented designer from the Burano Lace School, from whom he purchased the precious designs that miraculously survived the fire. With a pioneering entrepreneurial vision, “Boccolo” then decided to open the first true shop dedicated exclusively to Burano lace art directly on the island, naming it “Dalla Lidia Merletti d’Arte” in honor of his wife, showcasing a rich and varied selection of creations, many of which were the fruit of his own creativity.

With the entry into the family business of his son Luigi Bressanello, known as “Leon,” and his daughter-in-law Paola Toselli, nicknamed “Forner,” the atelier experienced a phase of remarkable expansion. Paola passionately assisted Mario Bressanello in the development of new and original designs, in the scrupulous selection of new lacemakers, and in the patient crafting of lace, personally executing every complex stitch of Punto Burano, preserving even techniques that time had almost relegated to oblivion. Luigi, sensing the opportunities arising from the closure of the Burano Lace School, decided to open his precious collection of antique lace to the public, enriching it over the years with rare and exquisite examples from France, Belgium, England, and Russia, thus creating a lace museum of international renown, a true treasure trove of history and beauty.

Luigi also cultivated a deep desire to find his aunt Augustina's legendary wedding dress and, after years of seemingly fruitless searches, finally managed to recover it in 1980, an authentic family heirloom.

Starting in the 2000s, the atelier enthusiastically welcomed the new generation represented by Paola and Luigi's son, Davide Bressanello, also known as “Leon,” and their grandson, Andrea Predosin. This new vitality brought with it a development in a modern key, introducing innovative designs, experimenting with new stitches, and using precious yarns, including luxurious 24-karat gold thread. The atelier also embarked on prestigious collaborations with leading companies in the luxury sector, opening up to a global and sophisticated market. Emblematic of this "innovative tradition" that has always distinguished the family is the creation, in 2016, of the first and only statue made entirely with the delicate and precious art of Burano lace art. And, to celebrate the birth of the atelier, the celebrated wedding dress of 1930 was reinterpreted with a contemporary design, skillfully blending the richness of history with the audacity of innovation.