LACE, in commerce, a texture composed of several threads of gold, silver, silk, or thread, which are interwoven and worked on a cushion with spindles, according to the pattern designed.
There are various kinds of lace, denominated either from the place where they are manufactured, or from the particular method of working. Such are Point, Brussels, or Flanders lace, made in the Netherlands; and blond or bone-lace, which is produced in England, chiefly in the county of Buckingham.
When gold or silver lace happens to be tarnished, the best liquid that can be used for restoring its lustre, is spirit of wine, which should be warmed, before it is applied to the tarnished spot. This, in Dr. Lewis's opinion, is far preferable to soap, or the alkaline liquors usually employed; as the former does not remove the colour of the silk or other embroidery, with which the lace may be connected.
Method of separating gold or silver from lace, without burning it: Let the lace be first cut to pieces, tied up in a linen cloth, and boiled in soap-ley, till its size be considerably diminished: the cloth is now to be taken out of the liquid; rinsed repeatedly in cold water; and beaten with a mallet, in order to extract the alkaline particles. On opening the linen, the metallic part of the lace will be found pure, and undiminished, while it retains its natural brightness.
All laces, whether made of leather, gold, silver, or of thread, are prohibited to be imported; but, if any lace composed wholly of silk, or of silk mixed with any other materials, be imported, the goods are to be burnt; and by the stat. 3 Geo. III c. 21, the importer incurs a penalty of 100l.