Souvenir from the Captivity of a French Prisoner of War, World War I

Beautiful white cotton doily embroidered by a French prisoner of war from 1914-1918.

The doily features motifs of fleur-de-lis, roses and daisies.

The prisoner embroidered the words “Souvenir of Captivity 1914-15-16.”

The colors remain fairly fresh.

Dimensions of the doily: 50 cm x 52 cm (19.7 in x 20.5 in).

Trench art refers to objects created by soldiers or prisoners of war during wars, particularly during World War I. These items were often made from materials salvaged from the battlefield, such as shell casings, bullets, pieces of metal, wood, or bone.

Soldiers, while in the trenches or during periods of rest, used these materials to create decorative or utilitarian objects, such as vases, jewelry, sculptures, boxes, or picture frames. These pieces often reflect scenes of war, patriotic symbols, or personal memories, and they were frequently a way to pass the time or maintain a connection to civilian life.

Trench art serves as both a poignant testament to the lives of soldiers and a form of artistic expression under extreme conditions.