This silk lace was in the process of being made by Mrs. Anna McCatha (Williams) Howard when she died in July of 1822. This style of lace is called “bobbin lace” ( or “bone lace” or “pillow lace”) and was made using bobbins wound with thread that were attached to a pillow. A paper or velum (sheepskin) pattern showing a design of dots was also attached to the pillow. A lacemaker would work from dot to dot by twisting, weaving or braiding the threads. Upon reaching a dot, a pin was inserted into the pillow to anchor the lace. This would have been a hobby for Mrs. Howard. The finished piece was probably used as decoration on clothing. Bobbin lacemaking was never very popular in the United States but has a stronger and longer history, and can still be seen being made today, in countries including Belgium, Italy, England, France, Ireland, and Puerto Rico. Other forms of lace could be made by knitting, tatting, crocheting or sewing. The silk thread was most likely imported from China or Persia (Iran today.)