I recently acquired this Belgian Relief Fund flour sack. During World War I, the Commission for Relief in Belgium (CRB), led by Herbert Hoover, coordinated the shipment of food supplies, including flour, to Belgium. The flour was packaged in cotton sacks like this one, which, after use, were often repurposed by Belgian women and girls. These individuals, trained in professional schools, sewing workrooms, and convents, embellished the sacks with embroidery, lace, and painted designs as expressions of gratitude. Many of these decorated sacks were sent back to the United States as tokens of appreciation.
This sack found its way back to Indiana, and was in storage for at least the previous 40 years. There is also writing on the back that appears to include the date October 1, 1917 along with other text.
Members of the Belgium subreddit were able to identify the Belgian artist and embroidered coat of arms less than 20 minutes after I posted these photos. The embroidery was done by There is also writing on the back that appears to include the date October 1, 1917 along with other text. The embroidery was done by Madeleine Margaretha Lydie Claeysoone (August 29, 1892 – unknown). She was born in Mol, and embroidered the first Mol coat of arms at the bottom https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wapen_van_Mol. She would have been 25 years old at the time she did the embroidery.
I wanted to share this amazing artifact with an amazing history and how Redditors were able to identify the artist over 100 years later. Any additional information about the artifact, artist, or context that can be shared is very welcome.
by 2nd20