Souvenir olive wood and carved mother of pearl trinket box from Jerusalem
c. 1940 - 1942Souvenir olive wood and carved mother of pearl circular, lidded trinket box from Jerusalem.
The top features an inlaid central depiction of the Australian rising sun badge with the words 'Australian Commonwealth Military Forces' inscribed on it, under which is the word 'Jerusalem' on a scroll.
This is surrounded by a circular border, outside of which are decorative arcs and points. An orange red background can be seen through the gaps in the carving.
The lower part of the trinket box is made from turned olive wood and has a raised internal rim over which the upper lid fits snugly. The word 'Jerusalem' is stamped on the side of the base in black letters.
Inside the base is a piece of paper with the name of the purchaser/owner, Lieutenant John Griffith McGibbony, who served with the 2/6th Battalion, A.I.F.
John Griffith McGibbony was born on 27 June 1919 in Geelong, Victoria. He enlisted on 3 November 1939, aged 20 and his occupation was listed as farm labourer and blacksmith. His service number was VX3944.
He served in the Middle East from April 1940 until August 1942, a total of 843 days, after which he returned to Australia, attended Army School, and continued to serve with Light Horse reinforcements until 27 April 1945.
He presumably bought the trinket box between 1940-1942.
Visiting servicemen and women purchased a variety of souvenirs from Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Palestine and The Holy Land while passing through on active service during both world wars.
Some of the more common items were embroideries such as cushion covers, painted artworks on fabric, jewellery made from mother of pearl, metal and timber, and photo albums with wooden covers filled with postcards of local scenes and pressed dried flowers.
There was also a range of trinket boxes, often with hidden drawers, made from the local olive wood and a range of other olive wood items including napkin rings and even a portable book shelf.
Details
Details
On lid of trinket box:
"AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH
MILITARY FORCES
Jerusalem"
On side of base:
"JERUSALEM"
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