For sale is a VINTAGE RISQUE TRENCH ART CIGAR BOX. Judging from the correspondence and photos which were stored in this wooden cigar box. This box belonged to a US Army soldier who served during the 1920s or 1930s. During his military service he carved a nude woman with long flowing hair on the top of the lid. The inside of the top lid of the box is lined with a a cedar panel. The wood cigar box measures 12 1/2 inches long, by 6 1/2 inches wide, and 3 inches deep. A great handmade vintage folk art collectible.
Trench Art is usually associated with the First World War, although similar items have been produced in other conflicts too. Most trench art was made by servicemen to pass the time when not in the front line. While much of it was simple and amateurish, the production of some examples required metalworking skills or workshop facilities. Prisoners of war, faced with a constant battle against boredom, produced similar items. Trench art were also made by local civilians for sale to soldiers. This manufacture often drew upon traditional local crafts, such as metalworking or lace-making. Despite the danger from these potentially deadly items, many civilians would collect debris from battlefields to transform into souvenirs.
