Prisoner of War Games. This post is about antique prisoner of war games as opposed to the modern computer game of “Prisoner of War“. Prisoners during conflict would often carve and make many different items. It is similar to that of trench art. During the earlier war years captured prisoners would often make games carved out of bone and ivory.
Below are some examples and price guides of prisoner of war games, including a Prisoner-of-War carved and paint-decorated bone games box and a wooden book form games box.
A Prisoner-of-War carved and paint-decorated bone game box circa 1815
Casket form, with sliding roof-top cover, overall with fourteen watercolor panels displayed behind glass, the case featuring town and seascapes to sides and flower basket and urn to ends, the cover depicting two amorous couples and two pairs of hearts pierced with arrows; containing game pieces including painted bone playing cards, dominoes, and a single teetotum; retaining old written label (illegible) to underside.
Sold for US$1,200 at Freeman’s in 2022
NAPOLEONIC PRISONER-OF-WAR CARVED WOODEN BOOK-FORM GAME BOX
Early 19th Century
Sliding cover with bone inlay. Contains 36 bone dominoes and three dice.
Length 4.75”.
Sold for US$400 at Eldred’s in 2022
