#64 • Two French Souvenir Shadow Boxes

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

High bid $200.00

Status: Sold

Category: France

Two French Souvenir Shadow Boxes. Souvenir of The Siege of Paris 1870-1871: 6 1/4" x 5 1/2" wooden frame with glass front. Background is printed in French as a commemoration of the siege of Paris which was from Sept. 18, 1870 until the city fell in January 1871. Napoleon III was captured by German forces early in September, and William I was proclaimed as German Emperor at the Palace of Versailles in January. There is a medallion showing both Napoleon III in the upper right and William I (Guillaume in French) in the upper left. There are dried flowers in the center. At the bottom a porous, blackened substance purports to be bread that had stayed in freezing temperatures for five hours during the siege.  153ême de Ligne Souvenir du Tir de Bois Évêque: 11 1/2" x 9" x 1" wooden frame is roughly made and some of the decoration has broken off the front edge. Insignia in the center is flanked by bullets and cartridge casings, all mounted on velvet. Glass is cracked. Estimate: $100 - $150