Skill work of prisoners of war, 18th - 19th century

Height x diameter: 21 x 8 cm. Weight: 350 g.

A small glass bottle, sealed with a metal stopper decorated with stylized floral motifs, containing inside a trellis-shaped structure with intertwined threads. This object is a typical example of what are known as “prisoner of war skill (or patience) works”: during the 18th and 19th century wars, many prisoners of war, in order to pass the time during captivity, created true artisanal masterpieces using humble, salvaged materials such as bone, wood, thread, paper, metal, and glass. These items were then traded with civilians, sold in exchange for essential goods, or kept as a testament to their craftsmanship.