Part I of a Victorian history and classification of antique hand-made lace, covering mediaeval lacework and needle point lace. The first division treats linen embroidery and cutwork, darned netting, drawnwork, reticella, knotted (macramé) lace, plaited lace and tape and braid laces; the second covers Venetian, Spanish, French (Alençon, Argentan), Brussels and English point. The book is illustrated with about thirty plates of lace specimens and diagrams of stitches and knots, and ends with notes on the relative value of point lace and on arranging a collection.