Dentelle de Guerre" needlepoint tablecloth, Belgium, 1st quarter 20th century. Round-shaped tablecloth in fine fabric embroidered in white and in relief with stylised bunches of foliage and medallions decorated in needlework, the surround and centre with embroidered net and Venise needlework inlays, developing a radiant decoration of embroidered bunches alternating with inlays in Venise needlework lace, each with the arms of one of the countries allied to Belgium during the 1st World War: United States, Great Britain, France, Russia, Japan, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro. Cream-coloured cotton. Diameter: 1.60 m (very good condition) These "War Laces" were produced by Belgian lace-makers during and shortly after the 1st World War as a tribute to these countries and as a thank-you to all those who, like Mr Henry Hoover, the future President of the United States, had helped to find funds to help their country, in particular by sending them the threads needed to produce the lace, which were unobtainable at the time.