Item:
ONSV3985

Original WWI Ottoman Empire Turkish Prisoner of War Souvenir Belt Dated 1917

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. This souvenir beaded belt was brought back after the First World War. It originates from the Ottoman Empire. Drawing on the rich tradition of textile crafts in the Ottoman Empire, Turkish soldiers incarcerated in British prison camps in the Middle East during and immediately after World War I made a variety of beadwork items to relieve the boredom of their prolonged imprisonment and to barter or sell for food and other amenities.

With blue beads spelling out: TURKISH PRISONERS SOUVENIR 1917 and features the British and French flags as well as Naval ships. This piece was made by the beaded crochet method or weaving on small looms. Crochet beaded snakes were the most popular of the beaded souvenirs created in the prisoner of war camps at the time, but belts were also made.

Prisoners who made the items might have been from the far-flung Ottoman Empire: Turkish, Kurdish, Arab, Greek, or Eastern European. According to recollections Seaman 2nd Class Cyril H. Gaudreau, he was given a snake by Turkish P.O.W.’s to thank him for teaching them how to play baseball.

This example is in excellent condition and measures approximately 30 inches long by 2 inches wide.
  • This product is available for international shipping.
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