Koninklijk Nederlandsch-Indisch Leger (Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force) Perspex sweetheart brooch

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c. 1942

Overview

Koninklijk Nederlandsch-Indisch Leger (Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force) Perspex sweetheart brooch.
It features a cast and reverse-painted Perspex depiction of the metal pilot/observer wing insignia specific to the KNIL military aviation service. It shows an eagle with wings outstretched flying towards the viewer, head turned to the right side (or the left for the eagle). The Perspex is clear and it has all been painted in a silver white colour.
Attached to the eagle's tail feathers are two rings from which a wreath medallion containing the letter 'W' is suspended.
The reverse has a metal pin clasp for attachment.

Historical information

The prominent 'W' at the centre of the wreath represents Queen Wilhelmina, who reigned over the Netherlands during both World War One and World War Two.
The metal badge that this was based on was designated for combined Pilot and Navigator (Vlieger-Waarnemer) crews serving in the Dutch East Indies. These specific insignias were widely produced in the early 1920s and saw heavy deployment during World War Two.
A photo collage shows the original metal insignia that this trench art Perspex example was based on. The metal insignia was made by Stokes & Sons in 1942 and the photo came from the ww2wings.com website.
Having consulted with several experts in the field of Dutch East Indies wings, they all agree that they've never seen such an example. It is highly likely to have been made as trench art rather than officially issued (unlike an economy plastic version of a badge made due to metal shortages).
It is considered exceptionally rare, if not unique.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00942

Item type

Badges

Collectibles

Ephemera

Personal Effects

Themes

Social History

War and Conflict

War and Conflict > World War 2