Rare Anglo-Boer War - POW made Wooden Shoe Pin Cushion – Bermuda c1902

Here on offer is a wonderful example of an Anglo-Boer POW (prisoner of war), carved wooden “shoe pin cushion”, that I believe was made in one of the POW camps in Bermuda in around 1902.

I acquired this shoe along with a POW made wooden chest, item 51082, many years ago and was told both where POW made pieces from Bermuda. This piece is not marked or dated, but a lot of the smaller items they made, where not “labeled” as such.

This type of miniature shoe was made by POWs from local Bermuda cedarwood that now has a beautiful dark patina to the finish.

The front of the slightly turned up, heeled shoe has some fine floral and chequered carvings, that are very similar in style to those that were depicted on the wooden chest it came with, item 51082.

The inside has been fitted with a velvet pin cushion, that is decorated with some steel pins on the top.

During the Anglo-Boer war more than 5,000 South African prisoners of war (men and boys) arrived on HM ships and were transported to exile on various islands in Bermuda from 1901 to 1902.

Bermuda was one of the places selected as a prisoner of war camp for the Boers because of its distance from South Africa.

Five of the Bermuda Islands were used and the internees where split on their attitude to the war and were physically separated on this basis. Those who believed the war should be continued were sent to Darrell's Island and closely guarded. Morgan's Island held 884 men, including 27 officers. There was 809 on Tucker's Island, 607 on Burt's Island 607 and 35 on Port's Island where the hospital facilities were located.

The Boer War Cemetery in Bermuda was built by Boer prisoners. Unfortunately for the local civilian population, HM ships and the British Army garrison, the POWs brought with them an outbreak of enteric fever.

To amuse themselves and to make pocket money, the Boers carved toys and implements, usually out of the local cedarwood. This was because cedar was the most common wood on the Islands. However, they would also use anything they could get their hands on: pieces of old furniture, bones, coins, anything.

The shoe appears to be a “left” shoe and is in truly excellent condition, with a small hole drilled on the inner edge and a small slither of wood missing from the base of the heal, that looks to be from when it was made.

These miniature shoe pin cushions are rare to find in such good condition and will make a great addition to any Boer War collection.

The shoe measures 5.1” (13cm) long, 1.45” (3.7cm) wide and is 2” (5.1cm) high.

It weighs 44g.

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: 52472