This book guides the reader through the intricacies of identifying a piece of lace, listing and illustrating the points to look through in each lace. It covers the whole range of lace from all parts of the world, selecting for examination those major types which the collector or dealer is most likely to come across or hear about. The numerous photographs are arranged to assist comparison of diagnostic features and to put together laces which might be confused with each other so that their differences, sometimes subtle, can be appreciated.

Immensely useful volume, containing over 400 lace-related terms such as Florentine knots, lappets, a pillow horse, winkie pin, spangles, reticella, honiton, guipure, and Tuscan filet, discusses the origin, nomenclature, date and sequences of development of the more controversial forms. Enhanced with over 250 illustrations depicting various lace patterns, including a magnificent lace collar worn by Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, Queen Victoria's wedding veil, the bridal tulle worn by Diana, Princess of Wales; and much more. A valuable book for lace-makers; a handy reference for cultural historians and needlecraft and fashion writers.