Snake Figure Item Number: 2189/1 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Stuffed, beaded snake, composed of a head (a) and body (b). The snake holds a small beaded lizard in its mouth. The snake's back is blue with a green and yellow zigzag design, and its belly is light grey with inscriptions beaded in black with geometric design elements that serve to divide the words. One design element appears to be a flag(?) of vertical black, yellow and red bands. The inscription reads 'TURKISH - PRISONERS - OF - DARDANELLS - AIBABA - CYPRU - 1917' [sic].
History Of Use
The inscription indicates the maker as a Turkish prisoner of war (POW), captured at Alçıtepe (Achi Baba), Turkey. During the Gallipoli Campaign in WWI, the Allies sent a substantial invasion force to attempt to open up the Dardanelles. This was possibly made at the Karaolos POW camp (located northwest of Famagusta's old town), which was established on Cyprus in September 1916, when 2,000 Ottoman captured soldiers were transported to the island.
Narrative
Made by a Turkish prisoner of war in Cyprus, during WWI.
Item History
- Made in Cyprus during 1917
- Owned by Sid Leary before 1950
- Owned by Florence Leary between 1950 and June 1957
- Received from Florence Leary (Donor) during June 1957
What
- Name
- Snake Figure
- Identification Number
- 2189/1 a-b
- Type of Item
- figure
- Material
- cotton fibre, glass and metal
- Overall
- height 5.5 cm, width 9.0 cm, depth 231.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Turkish
- Previous Owner
- Sid Leary and Florence Leary
- Received from
- Florence Leary (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Cyprus
When
- Creation Date
- during 1917
- Ownership Date
- before 1950 and between 1950 and June 1957
- Acquisition Date
- during June 1957
Other
- Item Classes
- beadwork
- Condition
- poor
- Accession Number
- 2189/0001 a-b