WW2 Italian POW Made Aluminium Trench Art Cigarette Case – Great Sphinx of Egypt

Here on offer is a fine example of a WW2 Italian POW made aluminium Trench Art cigarette or sweetheart case that depicts scenes of Egypt.

The case is in excellent unused condition and still retains a bright finish to the aluminium.

I have been told that these sweetheart cigarette cases where made by Italian POW's captured by the British Forces in North Africa during WW2.

I believe these items were traded for food and cigarettes by the Italian POW’s.

The POW Camp at Fayid, Egypt was one of the last camps to have its inmates repatriated in 1948.

The cases where made using the aluminium frames of downed aircraft from the North African front.

Each case was then individually hand engraved and therefore each one is unique!

The front of this fine example has detailed pierced image of a Mosque with palm trees, set against a dark blue background.

The back of the case has the image of the Great Sphinx of Giza and two of the famous pyramids, set against a red sky.

The coloured material on the back seems to be a reverse painted plastic.

Inside the case it has a central diamond plaque engraved with the owner’s initials: R G and surrounded by laurel leaves.

On the other side is engraved the image of a flower and laurel leaves.

It also retains the original lugs and the elastic strap, which, is rare to find these days and would be used to hold the cigarettes in place.

The case is opened by pressing an aluminium catch at the edge of the case, which still works perfectly as does the hinge.

The case itself is in excellent unused condition with no cracks or splits, just a few very light surface scratches on the front.

It measures 5.4” (13.7cm) wide, 3.1” (7.7cm) high and 0.6” (1.4cm) thick.

It weighs 118g.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Code: 50630