Souvenir timber book with hidden opening from the Middle East

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Overview

Souvenir, varnished timber box in the shape of a book, with a hidden opening in the base.
Unlike most souvenir timber artefacts from the Middle East, this box is made from a red coloured hardwood timber rather than the more usual olive wood. It has a curved back edge resembling the book spine, with two horizontal lines carved into the timber at the top and middle of the spine, and a thicker line at the bottom, which is where the hidden panel pulls out.. There are two flat sides representing the book covers with a slightly curved piece of timber between representing the pages.
The timber plug with a curved head can pull right out of the box, revealing a rectangular opening into which items such as cigarettes or coins might be stored.

Historical information

This little timber trinket box was purchased with another olive wood item from the Middle East.

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

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00774

Item type

Themes

Material