Wood letter opener, made in Camp Petawawa, 1940-1942

MAKER
Unknown

DATE
ca. 1941

DIMENSIONS
ca. 7 x ca. 1.1 Height: ca. 0.5 inches

CREDIT LINE
Gift of Mrs. Susan Racey Godber and Mrs. Margaret Racey Stavert, McCord Museum M2005.23.5

Wooden letter opener, made in Camp Petawawa, 1940-1942. Carved from one piece, the all-wood construction has an obvious patina, but its unclear if it’s lacquer or use-wear. The object is broken into two pieces at the blade/hilt joint.

This letter opener is part of a group of wood objects collected and preserved by the family of internee Girolamo (George) Capponi.

The letter opener along with other wooden objects in the collection, may have been made by Capponi himself. He had written to his wife asking for wood-working tools.

Wood axe, made in Camp Petawawa, 1940-1942

MAKER
Unknown

DATE
ca. 1941

DIMENSIONS
11.75 x 3.2 Height: .9 inches

CREDIT LINE
Courtesy of the Capponi family

Wood axe, made in Camp Petawawa, 1940-1942. Carved from one piece of wood, the object likely served a decorative purpose.

This axe is part of a group of wood objects collected and preserved by the family of internee Girolamo (George) Capponi.

The axe along with other wooden objects in the collection, may have been made by Capponi himself. He had written to his wife asking for wood-working tools.

Wood axe, made in Camp Petawawa, 1940-1942

MAKER
Unknown

DATE
ca. 1941

DIMENSIONS
15 x 4.25 Height: .9 inches

CREDIT LINE
Courtesy of the Capponi family

Wood axe, made in Camp Petawawa, 1940-1942. Carved from one piece of wood, the object likely served a decorative purpose.

This axe is part of a group of wood objects collected and preserved by the family of internee Girolamo (George) Capponi.

The axe along with other wooden objects in the collection, may have been made by Capponi himself. He had written to his wife asking for wood-working tools.

Wooden mirror-picture frame, stained, made in Camp Petawawa, 1940-1942

MAKER
Unknown

DATE
ca. 1941

DIMENSIONS
7.4 (longest point) x 2 (widest point) Height: 7.3 inches

CREDIT LINE
Courtesy of the Capponi family

Wooden mirror/picture frame, stained, made in Camp Petawawa,1940-1942. The frame is constructed of wood, with 3 main parts: the pivoting frame, the frame support, and the base. The frame itself is an elongated octagon (5 inches high, 3.1 inches wide). The long base is bevelled and measures 7.4 inches long and 2 inches wide. Nails were used to secure the frame to to the base. The base has a maple leaf punched-in design, which is 1.8 by 1.6 inches in size. The frame mount has four finials, with an extra two at the tops of the frame support — the others in the collection only have two at the pivot points.

A metal insert, which was reflective and likely used as a mirror, was cut to the measurements of the frame and likely repurposed from a tin.

This frame is part of a group of four collected and preserved by the family of internee Girolamo (George) Capponi.

The frames along with other wooden objects in the collection, may have been made by Capponi himself. He had written to his wife asking for wood-working tools.

Wooden mirror-picture frame, unstained, made in Camp Petawawa, 1940-1942

MAKER
Unknown

DATE
ca. 1941

DIMENSIONS
7 (longest point) x 2 (widest point) Height: 6.9 inches

CREDIT LINE
Courtesy of the Capponi family

Wooden mirror/picture frame, unstained, made in Camp Petawawa,1940-1942. The frame is constructed entirely of wood, with 3 main parts: the pivoting frame, the frame support, and the base. The frame itself is an elongated octagon (4.6 inches high, 2.5 inches wide). The long base is bevelled. Both ends are pointed, resulting in a shape that resembles a rectangle with two triangles on the end. The base measures 7 inches long, 2 inches wide, and .8 inches high.

A metal insert, which was reflective and likely used as a mirror, was cut to the measurements of the frame and repurposed from a cigarette tin.

This frame is part of a group of four collected and preserved by the family of internee Girolamo (George) Capponi.

The frames along with other wooden objects in the collection, may have been made by Capponi himself. He had written to his wife asking for wood-working tools.

Wood suitcase, made in Camp Petawawa, 1940-1942

MAKER
Unknown

DATE
ca. 1941

DIMENSIONS
25 x 13.7 Height: 7.75 inches

CREDIT LINE
Courtesy of the Capponi family

Wood suitcase, made in Camp Petawawa, 1940-1942. The sides are adhered using finger joints. Two different stains seem to have been used. Nail heads are visible, as are metal attachements for the handle and the metal hinges for the suitcase lid. Given the nature of the object, it likely had a functional use — storage of personal items while in camp and transportation of personal items home when released.

This suitcase is part of a group of wood objects collected and preserved by the family of internee Girolamo (George) Capponi.

The suitcase along with other wooden objects in the collection, may have been made by Capponi himself. He had written to his wife asking for wood-working tools.

Wood trowel, made in Camp Petawawa, 1940-1942

MAKER
Unknown

DATE
ca. 1941

DIMENSIONS
13 x ca. 2.75 Height: ca. 1.25 inches

CREDIT LINE
Courtesy of the Capponi family

Wood trowel, unstained, made in Camp Petawawa, 1940-1942. The object is carved from one piece of wood and appears to be roughly finished. As a result, it may have had a utilitarian or functional purpose.

This trowel is part of a group of wood objects collected and preserved by the family of internee Girolamo (George) Capponi.

The trowel along with other wooden objects in the collection, may have been made by Capponi himself. He had written to his wife asking for wood-working tools.

Wood stationary holder, made in Camp Petawawa, 1940-1942

MAKER
Unknown

DATE
ca. 1941

DIMENSIONS
10 x 4.75 Height: ca. 1.5 inches

CREDIT LINE
Courtesy of the Capponi family

Wood stationary holder, unstained, made in Camp Petawawa, 1940-1942. The holder is constructed of one piece of wood. The are four feet adhered to the base.Three slots run the length of the base (10 inches). The holder also has two rectangular recesses and a semi-circular recess, probably for ink and such. The underside appears to have some water damage/spotting.

This stationary holder is part of a group of wood objects collected and preserved by the family of internee Girolamo (George) Capponi.

The stationary holder along with other wooden objects in the collection, may have been made by Capponi himself. He had written to his wife asking for wood-working tools.

Wood mallet, made in Camp Petawawa, 1940-1942

MAKER
Unknown

DATE
ca. 1941

DIMENSIONS
12 x 2.75 Height: 2 inches

CREDIT LINE
Courtesy of the Capponi family

Wood mallet, made in Camp Petawawa, 1940-1942. Comprised of two to three wood pieces, including the handle, the head, and a possible plug to secure the handle to the head. Resin or glue is visible and was likely used to secure the handle to the head. The head is comprised of a small branch (2.75 inches long) with a diameter of 2 inches. The exterior bark remains in place. The mallet appears to be roughly finished. As a result, it may have had a utilitarian purpose and actually been used in wood working. This mallet is part of a group of wood objects collected and preserved by the family of internee Girolamo (George) Capponi. The mallet along with other wooden objects in the collection, may have been made by Capponi himself. He had written to his wife asking for wood-working tools.

Photograph of wooden model ship carved by internee

MAKER
Brian Boyd

DATE
Unknown

CREDIT LINE
Columbus Centre Collection

Photograph of wooden model ship (stained and painted) carved by an internee while interned. It depicts an ocean liner, the passenger ship used by pre-World War II Italian emigrants to arrive at their points of destination. This model ship is not named. The ship depicts multiple cabin levels below deck, lifeboats, two masts and riggings, among other details. It has a central cavity accessed from below in which a light can be placed. The cabin windows then appear lit. The ship sits on a wooden base.

The actual model was on loan for the exhibition by Nancy Bertolotti and family. The Bertolottis believes this ship was carved by an Italian Canadian internee and given to Giuseppe Cancilla, Nancy’s grandfather and a Toronto grocer, in appreciation and gratitude for the food and support he provided to the internee’s family. There is no supporting documentation to prove this provenance.

Letters from the camps relate how many of the men occupied their time by carving wood. Many internees brought wooden objects home to their families, including mirrors, painted reliefs, jewellery boxes,serving trays and ships.

Other ship carvings made in camp have been noted in the video interviews. Frank Martinello still cherishes a bottled wooden ship that his father Felice Martiniello brought home from camp. Alessandro Biffi remembers playing as a child with wooden rowboats that his father Alberto Severo Biffi brought home. Italo Tiezzi’s has a photograph showing him as a child holding the ship that his father Gino Tiezzi gave him.

Lamp from the Florentine Lighting Company

MAKER
Florentine Lighting Company

CREDIT LINE
Courtesy of the Magi Family

This unique lamp created in marble by the Florentine Lighting Company combines a number of neoclassical elements and motifs. The bottom of the lamp consists of a marble column decorated with a floral motif. The central element sits on the column and features a motif in the art deco style. There are a number of buttons on the bottom of this piece and a dial in the centre of this console. The exact function of this piece is unclear — it is possible that the buttons are used to operate the lamp or that the piece functioned as a radio. On top of the central console is a classical sculpture of a woman next to a large torch. It is likely that the torch acts as the light source for this lamp.

The Florentine Lighting Company was co-owned by Italian Canadian Massimo Iacopo Magi. Magi was born in 1884 in Limano, Bagni di Lucca, Italy. He immigrated to Canada and settled in Toronto. On June 10, 1940, Magi was arrested while at work. According to the RCMP, his arrest was due to his affiliation with the Fascio Principe Umberto, where he was the Secretary, and for overseeing the Toronto dopolavoro (after work) group. A number of his employees, including Ruggero Bacci were arrested along with him. At the time of his arrest Massimo and his wife had three adult children, Rina, Iole and Philip, who were living at home.

Magi was released from Camp Petawawa on June 5, 1941. Upon his return home he started another business, Tuscan Manufacturing Company, which imported artifacts from Italy.

Wooden objects created in camp by internee Nicola Zaza

MAKER
Nicola Zaza

DATE
ca. 1940

CREDIT LINE
Courtesy of the family of Nicola Zaza

Photograph showing four wooden objects created by Italian Canadian internee Nicola Zaza during his internment at Camp Petawawa. From left to right the objects are a dresser, bed and armoire for a doll house and a marionette.

Nicola Zaza immigrated to Canada in 1925. He and his family first settled on Euclid Avenue in Toronto and then later in 1935 moved to 43 Clinton Street where Zaza began his cabinetmaking business. To better support his family, Zaza also worked in the furniture department at T. Eaton Co., located at 799 King Street West. Zaza was an active member of Italian organizations in the city and admitted to being a member of the fascio up until 1938. He left the organization because he had little time for it. He was also a member of the dopolavoro, the Italian War Veterans, and the Order Sons of Italy. He was arrested on June 10, 1940 and interned at Camp Petawawa for 13 months. Zaza passed his days in the camp by creating a lot of mementos, such as carved wooden objects.

Gun License Badge, Ontario Department of Game and Fisheries, 1944

MAKER
Government of Canada

DATE
1944

CREDIT LINE
Courtesy of the daughters of Yolanda and Domenico Gaggi

Red gun license badge issued to Domenico Gaggi, Ontario Department of Game and Fisheries, 1944. The badge has a pin adhered along the top border. Text in English and in black ink is pressed into the fabric. The actual license number appears on the uncoloured weave in a central rectangle.

During the war, Domenico (naturalized British subject since 1937) and his Canadian-born wife Yolanda were designated as Enemy Aliens. Enemy Aliens were not allowed to keep guns, only under certain conditions and with special permission.

Wooden plaque, in memory of Nereo Brombal, 1990

MAKER
Windsor City Police

DATE
December 1990

DIMENSIONS
24 x 17.5 inches

CREDIT LINE
Courtesy of Doug Brombal and Family

Wooden plaque dedicated to the memory of Constable Nereo Brombal, presented to his son Doug, by the Windsor Police Department.

The inscription on the plaque begins with “Justice Prevails” (translation). It notes that Nereo Brombal was “unjustly terminated” from the police force due to “his place of birth”.

The Board of Commissioners of Police for the City of Windsor and the Windsor Police Service acknowledge with gratitude the work of Constable Brombal and their deep regret for the injustice done to him and others of the Italian community at a time when reason and humanity had been abandoned.

Nereo Brombal immigrated to Canada from Italy ca. 1914. He had met his German-born wife Johanna in northern Ontario. The family would settle in Windsor and the Brombals had 2 children.

In 1940, Brombal was fired from the Windsor Police Department due to his Italian birth. His son Douglas remembers a few tense years during the war, given his mixed German/Italian family.

Brombal would never return to his position as a police officer. However, in December 1990, the Windsor Police Commission apologized to Brombal’s family. They also created Camp Brombal, for underpriviliged kids, and run by volunteers from the police department, in Nereo Brombal’s honour.

Christmas stamp, Our Lady of the Rosary, stained glass by Guido Nincheri, 1997

MAKER
Canada Post

DATE
1997

DIMENSIONS
1 x 2 inches

CREDIT LINE
Columbus Centre Collection

45-cent Christmas stamp of the Our Lady of the Rosary stained glass in Holy Rosary Cathedral in Vancouver, B.C., by Guido Nincheri. Nincheri’s Our Lady of the Holy Rosary is among three Christmas stamps issued in 1997 by Canada Post featuring the madonna and child theme in a stained-glass window design. The 52-cent stamp is based on the “Nativity Scene” designed by Ellen Simon and Yvonne Williams, and the 90-cent stamp comes from the “Scene from the Life of the Blessed Virgin” designed by Christopher Wallis.

Guido Nincheri has been described as one of the most important religious artists in Canadian history. He certainly was prolific, producing a range of work in many mediums, including about five thousand stained glass windows throughout Canada as well as in the United States.

“Nincheri’s stained glass style is unmistakable. His technique is in the mode of Italian Renaissance painting: dramatic and dynamic but resolutely realistic, at least by 20th century standards. The three-dimensional modeling of his figures is uncommon in stained glass, but Nincheri had the luxury of live models, including his wife Giulia, and sometimes his studio colleagues. His broad colour palette can seem overwhelming until you find the subtleties. A characteristic technique is the depiction of boldly rendered rays, emitting symmetrically from sacred figures like Jesus, Mary and the Angels. His border ornamentation is fresh and harmonious.” (Institue for Stained Glass in Canada; http://www.stainedglasscanada.ca/articles/nincheri.htm)

This stamp depicts a section of Nincheri’s Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. The madonna and child hold a rosary in their hands. Also depicted in the stained glass window, but not seen in the stamp, are St. Dominic and St. Catherine of Siena. In 1941, Nincheri was hired to create stained glass windows for the church in Vancouver. This window was among five installed in 1941. At the time of this work, Nincheri would have just experienced a very dark period in his life and career, having been interned for the latter part of 1940 at Camp Petawawa.

Wooden plaque with lady in green dress

MAKER
Unknown

DIMENSIONS
ca. 11 x ca. 3.5 Height: ca. 0.5 inches

CREDIT LINE
Courtesy of Renata Bannatyne and Family

Elongated rectangular wooden plaque with raised carving or wood cut of woman. Carving/cutting is adhered to the plaque with some kind of adhesive. Woman is depicted with dark hair. Facing to the left, she is shown in side profile. Her body is oddly posed. Looking up, she is bent at the waist and shown in mid-stride. She is wearing a green form-fitting dress, which ends at the knee, with a slight drape away from the waist. She is wearing blue-green high-heeled shoes and carries a matching clutch.

Internees were often lonely and bored. Some were single at the time of their internment. As the surviving letters and postcards show, the men often thought of their families and girlfriends back home. Denied newspapers or magazines, which were considered prohibited materials in the camp, an unknown wood carver still managed to create his own pin-up girls as well as a solitary depiction of life as an internee.

The provenance of the work is not known other than it is said to have been made by an internee during World War II by the current owners.

Wooden plaque with lady in slip

MAKER
Unknown

DIMENSIONS
ca. 10.25 x ca. 5.5 Height: ca. 0.5 inches

CREDIT LINE
Courtesy of Renata Bannatyne and Family

Rectangular wooden plaque with raised carving or wood cut of woman. Carving/cutting is adhered to the plaque with some kind of adhesive. Woman is depicted in a classic pin-up pose of the 1940s. She has dark, long curly hair. Facing to the right, she is wearing a green slip and black high-heeled shoes. She appears to be seated on a pink bench or ledge.

Internees were often lonely and bored. Some were single at the time of their internment. As the surviving letters and postcards show, the men often thought of their families and girlfriends back home. Denied newspapers or magazines, which were considered prohibited materials in the camp, an unknown wood carver still managed to create his own pin-up girls as well as a solitary depiction of life as an internee.

The provenance of the work is not known other than it is said to have been made by an internee during World War II by the current owners.

Wooden plaque of internee in POW uniform

MAKER
Unknown

DIMENSIONS
ca. 9 x ca. 5.5 Height: ca. 0.5 inches

CREDIT LINE
Courtesy of Renata Bannatyne and Family

Rectangular wooden plaque with raised carving or wood cut of internee. Carving/cutting is adhered to the plaque with some kind of adhesive. Internee is shown seated on a wood stool and handling an unidentifiable object. Internee is also shown wearing the camp uniform. On arrival at camp, internees received two sets of summer and winter camp clothing. This included a winter jacket, work boots, wool socks, undergarments, and one light and one heavy cap. The clothing was blue with the exception of a large red circle on the back of each shirt and jacket. These circles served as a sniper target in case of an attempted escape. An internee’s camp pants had a red stripe that ran down the pant leg from the hip to the bottom of the leg. A red stripe was also present on the caps provided to internees. The stripe began at the back of the cap and continued to the edge of the visor. P#378 appears in the red circle, but the internee with this number remains unidentified. Internees were often lonely and bored. Some were single at the time of their internment. As the surviving letters and postcards show, the men often thought of their families and girlfriends back home. Denied newspapers or magazines, which were considered prohibited materials in the camp, an unknown wood carver still managed to create his own pin-up girls as well as this solitary depiction of life as an internee. The provenance of the work is not known other than it is said to have been made by an internee during World War II by the current owners.

Wooden ladle

MAKER
Donato Olivieri(?)

DATE
ca. 1941

DIMENSIONS
15 x 3.125 Height: 2.25 inches

CREDIT LINE
From the estate of Nida Corrado, daughter of internee Antonio Olivieri

Carved wooden ladle, one piece and stained. Spiral decoration for handle end. Likely carved in Petawawa Internment Camp. It is unlikely that the carver was Antonio Olivieri due his very brief internment period. Perhaps the carver was Donato Olivieri, Antonio’s brother, who was interned for two years and eight months. Unclear if the ladle was actively used or served a non-utilitarian purpose. Both Olivieri brothers were influential members of the Italian Canadian community in Hamilton and actively involved with the Order Sons of Italy. Many internees brought wooden objects home to their families, including elaborate ships, mirrors, painted reliefs, jewellery boxes and serving trays. Letters from the camps relate how many of the men occupied their time by carving wood.

Wooden letter opener

MAKER
Gabriele Di Maurizio(?)

DATE
ca. 1941

DIMENSIONS
10 x 1.25 Height: 0.25 inches

CREDIT LINE
The Di Maurizio Family

Carved wooden letter opener, one piece and stained. Pattern on handle includes star, heart, maple leaf and the initials G. d. M. Likely carved in Petawawa Internment Camp by Italian Canadian internee Gabriele Di Maurizio.

Di Maurizio was a citizen (a naturalized British subject), who was the first president of the St. Catharines lodge of the Order Sons of Italy.

Many internees brought wooden objects home to their families, including elaborate ships, mirrors, painted reliefs, jewellery boxes and serving trays. Letters from the camps relate how many of the men occupied their time by carving wood.

Wooden spoon

MAKER
Unknown

DATE
ca. 1941

DIMENSIONS
30 x 5 Height: 1.25 inches

CREDIT LINE
The Di Maurizio Family

Carved wooden spoon, one piece and stained, paired with a wooden fork. Large size suggests primarily ornamental use; also indicated by leather tie for mounting/hanging on wall. The floral, leaf pattern carved is identical to fork. Carving includes scroll work. The wooden utensils were donated by Frank Danesi, the brother of internees Antonio and Pietro Danesi. The two brothers were arrested at their work — the Florentine Lighting Company. Owner Massimo Iacopo Magi and fellow co-worker Ruggero Bacci were also interned. The carver is unknown. However, many internees brought wooden objects home to their families, including elaborate ships, mirrors, painted reliefs, jewellery boxes and serving trays. Letters from the camps relate how many of the men occupied their time by carving wood.

Wooden fork

MAKER
Unknown

DATE
ca. 1941

DIMENSIONS
30.25 x 4.75 Height: 1 inches

CREDIT LINE
The Di Maurizio Family

Carved, wooden, four-pronged fork, one piece and stained, paired with a wooden spoon. Large size suggests primarily ornamental use; also indicated by leather tie for mounting/hanging on wall. The floral, leaf pattern carved is identical to spoon. Carving includes scroll work. The wooden utensils were donated by Frank Danesi, the brother of internees Antonio and Pietro Danesi. The two brothers were arrested at their work — the Florentine Lighting Company. Owner Massimo Iacopo Magi and fellow co-worker Ruggero Bacci were also interned. The carver is unknown. However, many internees brought wooden objects home to their families, including elaborate ships, mirrors, painted reliefs, jewellery boxes and serving trays. Letters from the camps relate how many of the men occupied their time by carving wood.

Wooden dagger

MAKER
Donato Olivieri(?)

DATE
ca. 1941

DIMENSIONS
6.75 x 1 Height: .5 inches

CREDIT LINE
From the estate of Nida Corrado, daughter of internee Antonio Olivieri

Carved wooden dagger, one piece and stained. Unclear what use the dagger served, but clearly had a non-utilitarian purpose.

Likely carved in Petawawa Internment Camp. It is unlikely that the carver was Antonio Olivieri due his very brief internment period. Perhaps the carver was Donato Olivieri, Antonio’s brother, who was interned for two years and eight months.

Both Olivieri brothers were influential members of the Italian Canadian community in Hamilton and actively involved with the Order Sons of Italy.

Many internees brought wooden objects home to their families, including elaborate ships, mirrors, painted reliefs, jewellery boxes and serving trays. Letters from the camps relate how many of the men occupied their time by carving wood.