Italian Internee-Made Ship Model
Date made: 1943
Place made: Douglas
Description: This hand-made wooden ship model was crafted by an Italian civilian internee called Aniello Mennela, held in a camp in Douglas during the Second World War.
The three masted ship is fully rigged and is flying the Manx flag. The hull has been constructed from separate strips of wood to create the planking. The model is built on a base with a label which reads 'By Mennela Aniello - Prisoner of War - 'S' Camp - Douglas (I.O.M.) Dec. 1943'.
The Isle of Man played an important role as a centre for internment of Germans, Austrians and Italians in the Second World War. Italian-made craftwork is more common than German. The Italians, as predominantly ecomomic rather than political migrants to Britain, found it harder to demonstrate anti-fascist credentials. Thus they tended to be held on the Island for longer than the Germans.
Materials: cotton, wood
Object name: ship model
Collection: Social History Collection
ID Number: 2009-0150
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