#14 • Pair of POW Made Reverse Image Inlaid Picture Frames from Stobs Military Camp

Part of TRENCH ART & WWI Memorabilia (live auction by Bannerman Auctions)

Starting at $40.00

Status: Sold

Category: Imperial Germany

Pair of POW Made Reverse Image Inlaid Picture Frames from Stobs Military Camp. Spectacular pair of inlaid wooden picture frames made by an unnamed prisoner in the POW camp at Stobs Military Camp on the Scottish border. 8" x 11" and convex, like a roman shield, with a rounded top and open fretwork at the bottom.  The inlaid pieces on the surface depict a scene on a lake with a sailboat and keep on one side and a manor house with pilings at the edge of the lake. The upper half of the frame is a rayed sunset and biplane in a partially cloudy sky.  In the center is a 3" x 5" oval opening for the image. The shades of wood are reversed on the frames i.e. the plane is dark on one and light on the other, etc. At the base are delicate applied wood fretwork labels with varying degrees damage - "POW CAMP" - "STOBS" and "1915".  The easel stands  for both of these frames were delicate from day one and have fared poorly. Even with little use, they are loose in their tenuous mounts. These came out of a collection located in the high desert of the United States and no doubt the dry conditions contributed to missing bits of fretwork  plus some of the minor cracks and separation. Prisoners at Stobs were able to sell their work to the public  at craft shows or wholesale their works to merchants, the proceeds of which provided some comforts in camp.  Beautiful pieces. Estimate: $80 - $120