An interesting history, this stuff:
In the 17th century, the Duchesse de Longueville organised the manufacture of lace at Chantilly. It has been produced from then up until this century. Owing to the patronage of the Duchesse, and the proximity of Chantilly to Paris it became popular. It came into fashion again during the reign of Louis XVI, and was an especial favorite of Louis XV's last mistress, Mme du Barry (Louis XV's mistress) and Marie Antoinette. When the French Revolution began in 1789, the demand for the lace ceased. The lace-makers were seen as protégés of the royals, and after Mme du Barry and Marie Antoinette were guillotined in 1793 the lace-makers of Chantilly were themselves killed. At this point production ceased.
I had no idea the lace-making could be so dangerous. Anyway, Chantilly Lace was revived by Napoleon and remained popular through the 19th Century. Most of it back then was made in black for mourning wear for when people died, which they did a lot in the 19th Century. More info in the fascinating book Lace and Lace Making.