Brazil · Bobbin-and-pin lace weaving
Renda de Bilro Ilhoa
A distinct regional lineage of bobbin lace, tracing — per documented historical research — to a technique originating in 15th-century Belgium and spreading through Italy, France, and Portugal before reaching the Azores archipelago and, from there, Ilha de Santa Catarina with the arrival of Azorean colonists roughly 270 years ago. Distinct from the closely related but separately transmitted bilro tradition of Rio Grande do Norte (CRAFT-2185), Florianópolis's version carries its own formal municipal Cultural Patrimony designation, a dedicated municipal holiday (Dia Municipal da Rendeira e do Rendeiro, October 21), and a purpose-built Reference Center for Bobbin Lace at the Casarão da Lagoa in Lagoa da Conceição — established through a partnership between the federal Promoart program, the City of Florianópolis, and Casa dos Açores, specifically because Florianópolis was found to hold the largest concentration of lacemakers anywhere in southern Brazil. Named practitioner Elita Catarina Ramos, a rendeira for 58 years, exhibited a bilro-lace dress alongside recognized Brazilian designers Martha Medeiros and Ronaldo Fraga at A Casa – Museu do Objeto Brasileiro in São Paulo, while contemporary advocate Maria da Glória Pereira, known as Dona Glorinha, has become one of the tradition's most visible public voices in the city today.
Risk level: Vulnerable · Not Applicable — no UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage inscription exists for this craft at time of writing, though it holds formal municipal Cultural Patrimony status in Florianópolis
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