Hand Carved Wooden Cask for KIA- Anri # 3365
A rare example of what is often considered to be a KIA Cask for the remaining possessions of a veteran killed during the war. What they are, is extremely rare but their usage could vary I would imagine as well as their size and decor. This example which I first saw about 10 years ago is a survivor and a large example of very high quality and manufactured by the firm of Anri who are still in business today and were initially established in 1912 I believe.
This particular example is large measuring in at approx. 15 1/2 inches x 9 inches x 8 inches making it one of the larger examples I have seen. It retains its original finish with hinges and exterior locking mechanism manufactured of iron which is fairly typical for these types of pieces. The front exterior panel is a hand carved scene very typical of the Anri style bearing a combination of a battle scene and N.S imagery depicting a soldier tossing a grenade flanked by a bail of wheat and to his right a wounded soldier on the ground with a third soldier above bearing the nazi flag and blowing a bugle. To the right and the left of the front panel are the torch and the sword. On the right side of the cask are a carved anchor and propellor and to the left of the cask is a carved Templar's cross. The top of the cask bears the Reich Adler with Hackenkreuz and sword. The overall construction is very high quality and all fittings are iron from the lock to the hinges, etc. The rear is signed Anri.
Anri can of course be researched and started in the early 1900's and is in business today and still command premiums for their works that were don't through the course of two world wars. Its a great piece and fairly large. While they are considered by many to be KIA pieces, I would guess that would not have to be the case and it could retain the owners things in daily life as well. Its been some time since I have seen a nice piece like this and have had a couple other examples over the years, but they do not show themselves often.
A rare example of what is often considered to be a KIA Cask for the remaining possessions of a veteran killed during the war. What they are, is extremely rare but their usage could vary I would imagine as well as their size and decor. This example which I first saw about 10 years ago is a survivor and a large example of very high quality and manufactured by the firm of Anri who are still in business today and were initially established in 1912 I believe.
This particular example is large measuring in at approx. 15 1/2 inches x 9 inches x 8 inches making it one of the larger examples I have seen. It retains its original finish with hinges and exterior locking mechanism manufactured of iron which is fairly typical for these types of pieces. The front exterior panel is a hand carved scene very typical of the Anri style bearing a combination of a battle scene and N.S imagery depicting a soldier tossing a grenade flanked by a bail of wheat and to his right a wounded soldier on the ground with a third soldier above bearing the nazi flag and blowing a bugle. To the right and the left of the front panel are the torch and the sword. On the right side of the cask are a carved anchor and propellor and to the left of the cask is a carved Templar's cross. The top of the cask bears the Reich Adler with Hackenkreuz and sword. The overall construction is very high quality and all fittings are iron from the lock to the hinges, etc. The rear is signed Anri.
Anri can of course be researched and started in the early 1900's and is in business today and still command premiums for their works that were don't through the course of two world wars. Its a great piece and fairly large. While they are considered by many to be KIA pieces, I would guess that would not have to be the case and it could retain the owners things in daily life as well. Its been some time since I have seen a nice piece like this and have had a couple other examples over the years, but they do not show themselves often.