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WWI Soldier's Pocket Shrine Collection, French, Set of Three. Rare Collection Circa 1914
These are often referred to as soldier's shrines as they were frequently carried by catholic soldiers of the French army in the first and second world wars. I found these lovely icons at an antique fair not far from where I live and I had not seen them before and the dealer explained to me that they were also often carried by people so that they would have an image of The Virgin Mary with them wherever they went.
They are, of course, tiny. The largest is 3.5 centimetres, the second is 3 centimetres and the smallest is just 2.5 centimetres tall.
Each is also very different. The first is a simple pockets shrine made of steel with a tiny figure of Saint Anthony of Padua. Saint Anthony of Padua is popular with soldiers due to a tradition of militancy and divine intervention in battle. Historical accounts and traditions state that he appeared in conflicts to support Catholic forces, reportedly throwing fire upon enemies, which led several countries to designate him as the Patron Saint of military forces.
This association is further reinforced by specific historical honours, most notably from the Brazilian Army, which granted him an honorific military rank and salary after attributing a miracle in Rio de Janeiro to his intercession. Additionally, in Spain, a royal order in 1668 made him a soldier in the second infantry regiment, where he was promoted to the rank of general by 1889.
The second is an aluminium screw cap tube with a tiny statue of The Virgin Mary. The production of aluminium, quite literally 'took off' in 1914 due to its use in the construction of aircraft and this lovely little pocket shrine was probably carried by a member of the French Air Force.
Finally a superb polished steel tube with a tiny gilded bronze statue of The Virgin Mary. It would not have been cheap at the time and so would probably have been carried by an officer.
As I write I am also getting ready for the commemoration service to be held in our village to mark the close of WWI. A poignant time to be listing these shrines.
