This postcard from the turn of the 20th century depicts an elderly lacemaker in England making “bobbin lace” (also known as “bone lace”, or “pillow lace”). A paper or vellum pattern is pinned to the pillow in her lap and her thread is wound on wooden or bone bobbins that hang from the project. She makes her lace by twisting, braiding, or weaving from point to point on her pattern and sets in a pin at each point to hold the lace in place while she continues to work. Lacemaking was most popular in Belgium, England, Italy and Ireland, among other countries. The device in front of the woman is probably a bobbin winder. To her left is a candle set up to shine through a glass bulb filled with water. This magnifies the candlelight.