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snake, beaded

human history
  • Other Name

    Souvenir beaded snake made by Turkish POW, WW1

    souvenir

  • Description

    Souvenir beaded snake made by a Turkish prisoner of war in Egypt, WW1

    blue, white and amber beads, holds a lizard in its mouth; marked "TURKISH PRISONERS 1919"

    condition: broken in four places, beads becoming detached

  • Associated Place
  • Accession Number
    1980.96
  • Accession Date
    04 Sep 1980
  • Other Id

    W2426 (war)

  • Department

Images and documents

Artefact

  • Credit Line
    Collection of Auckland Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira, W2426
  • Associated Notes

    Souvenir beaded snake made by Turkish prisoners of war in Egypt, 1919, WW1

    Turkish prisoners of war, captured during the Sinai Palestine campaign, made these amazing beaded snakes. During this campaign many thousands of men were taken prisoner, and by making souvenir items like these, they could earn small sums of money to buy additional cigarettes and other comforts. Men who served in Palestine during the war brought home an assortment of souvenir items, many bought from local bazaars, but including items made by prisoners.

  • Associated Place
  • Associated Date
    1917
  • Period
  • Measurement Description
    length: 2370mm
  • Classification
  • Last Update
    15 May 2023
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