The center of this fine linen tablecloth is decorated with three small monograms "EW" and scroll designs. EW most likely stands for Ella Whitlock, the wife of the American Envoy to Belgium. Mrs. Brand Whitlock worked tirelessly on behalf of the Belgian lace makers during World War I.
The eight and one-half inch wide border on the tablecloth is executed in Point de Paris bobbin lace with symmetrical floral designs of roses and edelweiss, the favorite flowers of Queen Elisabeth of Belgium. Belgian lace makers made this tablecloth during World War I.
The coat-of-arms of the Belgian Province of Hainaut was the design inspiration for this piece. The Mechlin bobbin lace motif depicting four lions and a crown was made by Belgian lace makers during World War I and was likely intended to be inserted into a larger item. See a similar motif in TE*E383965.
The Great Seal of the United States, often used in American decorative arts, provided the design inspiration for this Mechlin bobbin lace. It was made by Belgian lace makers during World War I and was likely intended to be inserted into a larger item.
This round tablecloth is decorated with the American and Belgian shields, and the Whitlock family crest. Mr. Brand Whitlock was the American envoy and later ambassador to Belgium from 1914 to 1921. Mrs. Brand Whitlock worked tirelessly on behalf of the Belgian lace makers during World War I.
The center of the tablecloth is Old Flanders style bobbin lace with needle lace ground. The same lace pattern is used in TE*T14468A and TE*T14468B. A wide border of point de Venise style needle lace surrounds the four shields. Belgian lace makers made this tablecloth during World War I.
This pillow top was designed by the Belgian sculptor Isidore de Rudder (1855-1943). The design of starfish, crabs, and eels in seaweed with the central inscription “1914 Yzer 1915” commemorates a famous battle at the Yzer River, where Belgian engineers prevented the German troops from advancing by manipulating the locks on the Yzer River to flood the surrounding fields.
This pillow top in point de Venise style needle lace was made by Belgian lace makers during World War I. The pattern is preserved in the Royal Museum of Art and History in Brussels.
This fan leaf was designed for the Belgian Lace Committee by Belgian painter Charles Michel. His name is worked in needle lace into the ground (reseau) along the inner edge. The central motif of helmet, swords and weaponry is flanked on either side by the war years 1914 and 1915. The rising sun, laurel leaves and other floral motifs are also included. Brussels bobbin lace was mainly used for the motifs and connected with Point de Gaze type needle lace. Belgian lace makers made this fan leaf during World War I. It has never been mounted to fan sticks.
This lion-and-crown motif was designed to represent the coat-of-arms of the Belgian province of Luxembourg. The Mechlin bobbin lace medallion was made by Belgian lace makers during World War I, and was likely intended to be inserted into a larger item. See a similar motif in TE*E383965.
This example of Mechlin bobbin lace depicts a whimsical variant of the Gallic rooster, symbol of France. The motif was made by Belgian lace makers during World War I and was likely intended to be inserted into a larger item.
Part of a set of six, this Valenciennes bobbin lace medallion depicts the municipal shield of Ruysselede (Ruiselede) in the Belgian province of West Flanders. Other medallions, two with the American eagle, two with the Belgian lion coat-of-arms, and another with the municipal shield of Ruysselede complete the set. See a similar motif in TE*E383967. Belgian lace makers made these laces during World War I.
A peacock motif is the focus of this border in Point de Paris bobbin lace. It was probably made in Courtrai (Kortrijk), Belgium by Belgian lace makers during World War I.
Part of a set of six, this Valenciennes bobbin lace medallion features the coat-of-arms of Belgium. Other medallions, two with the American eagle, another with the Belgian lion coat-of-arms, and two with the municipal shield of Ruysselede (Ruiselede) complete the set. See a similar motif in TE*E383967. Belgian lace makers made these laces during World War I.
This panel was specifically designed to express appreciation to the Americans for their help during World War I. The entire panel was executed in fine Valenciennes style bobbin lace by Belgian lace makers. The American Eagle in the center is flanked by the coats-of-arms of Belgium and the municipality of Ruysselede (Ruiselede) in West Flanders. The inscription “AAN DE VEREENIGDE STATEN” (to the United States) is worked into the lace in the top border. “1914 HULDE EN DANK 1915” (1914 honor and thank you 1915) enhances the bottom border. The side borders contain the words “BELGIE” and “RUYSSELEDE” surrounded by floral designs.
Part of a set of six, this Valenciennes bobbin lace medallion focuses on the American eagle motif. Two other medallions with the Belgian lion coat-of-arms, two with the municipal shield of Ruysselede (Ruiselede) in the Belgian province of West Flanders; and another with the American eagle complete the set. See a similar motif in TE*E383967. Belgian lace makers made these laces during World War I.
The Montenegro coat-of-arms depicting a double-headed eagle with a lion in the center shield is the focus of this example of Mechlin bobbin lace. This piece was made by Belgian lace makers during World War I and was probably designed to be inserted into a larger item.
Part of a set of six, this Valenciennes bobbin lace medallion features the coat-of-arms of Belgium. Other medallions, two with the American eagle, another with the Belgian lion coat-of-arms, and two with the municipal shield of Ruysselede (Ruiselede) complete the set. See a similar motif in TE*E383967. Belgian lace makers made these laces during World War I.
Point de Flandre continuous bobbin lace was utilized to make this mid-18th century style border. Heavier cordonnet or gimp outlines the motifs of large floral swags. The pattern repeat is seven and one-quarter inches long, and the edge is scalloped with picots. The donor identified this border as lace made by Belgian lace makers during World War I.
Part of a set of six, this Valenciennes bobbin lace medallion depicts the municipal shield of Ruysselede (Ruiselede) in the Belgian province of West Flanders. Other medallions, two with the American eagle, two with the Belgian lion coat-of-arms, and another with the municipal shield of Ruysselede complete the set. See a similar motif in TE*E383967. Belgian lace makers made these laces during World War I.
Motifs of tipped-over flowerpots were used for the design of this Mechlin bobbin lace border. The pattern repeat is three and one-half inches long, and a heavier cordonnet or gimp thread outlines the motifs. The donor identified this border as lace made by Belgian lace makers during World War I.
This fingerless mitt, one of a pair, is handmade of white cotton in Chantilly style bobbin lace with floral motifs. A ribbon is added along the top edge. The back of the mitt is fastened with a small button. The mitt matches TE*T14221B and was identified by the donor as lace made by Belgian lace makers during World War I.
This collar was made in the Binche point de Fée style bobbin lace. It has an abundance of square tallies and a snowflake ground. The curved outer edge has picots and the ends come to a point. The pattern, which features a three and one-half inch long repeated segment, was made for the collar shape and identified by the donor as lace made by Belgian lace makers during World War I.