Identification of Lace

by Pat Earnshaw

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.

Genres: Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1980

Reviews

[Ilona Kozin]

I would describe this book as a compact, practical classic rather than a definitive academic encyclopedia. It is full of historical references, examples and beautiful stories.

There is also a significant bibliographic history behind it: the first edition appeared in 1980, a second edition in 1984, and a substantially revised & updated third edition followed; the 1994 edition is catalogued as the third, completely revised and updated edition with latest corrections.

I would recommend for everyone who studies fiber arts and lace patterns.

I read it from cover to cover, because this subject is very important for preservation purposes.

Most of these patterns can’t be made again, due to the loss of craftsmanship skills. Machine made laces are not the same as handmade intricate patterns.

Hundreds of hours are in each masterpiece.

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