#46 • Boer War Prisoner Trench Art Box: St. Helena 1902

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

High bid $230.00

Status: Sold

Category: Britain

Boer War Prisoner Trench Art Box: St. Helena 1902. 35cm x 10cm x 9cm wood box with nicely fitted lid and dovetail construction has decorative relief carved inscriptions "MADE BY / POW / ST. HELENA / 1902" on the lid, and "Souvenir" on the front.  Between 1900 and 1902 St. Helena Island was home to approximately 6,000 Boer prisoners of war who were held at "Deadwood Camp."  At some point some of them expressed the desire to become British subjects, which drew the ire of their fellow prisoners.  In the interest of preventing violence, "Deadwood No. 2" or 'Peace Camp' was established to segregate the would-be galvanized Boers from their fellows.  Further trouble developed between 'Freestaters' and 'Transvaalers', necessitating yet more segregation.  In the midst of all of this, the tradition of prisoner-made artwork flourished, and the local residents of the island were invited to attend the first craft exhibition in November 1900.   Boer prisoner art was also shipped to England for sale. . . a fact which inspired prisoner Andries Smorenburg to construct a crate marked "this side up. Captain Marling, Gloucester Regiment. Boer Curios" in which he hid with clothing, matches, and food and water for 20 days and posted himself from St Helena on a passing ship. But although the crate was marked 'With Care' and 'This Side Up' it was tossed about and overturned on board and as a result Smorenburg suffered concussion and lost most of his water. In the meantime back on the island, Smorenburg's absence had been discovered when he did not appear for roll call. The authorities on St Helena contacted Ascension Island and Smorenburg was recaptured there and returned to St Helena after only five days at sea. Estimate: $100 - $200