Jenkinson Antiques

Trench art of Frederick Clifford Lavis

Frederick Lavis made these ingenious trench art objects while on active service. He gathered some souvenir objects and kept them all in a little cedar display case once he returned to South Australia in 1919. He made an aeroplane modeled on the BE2c reconnaissance plane, designed by Geoffrey de Havilland, a sword shaped letter opener and some friendship rings.  All display a fine sense of design and an artistic ability coupled with technical skill.  The plane is particularly well done and evokes images of aviation in its infancy. There are also badges, buckles, buttons and the dog tags belonging to Lavis, along with souvenirs from the battlefield, including an early nickel plated brass swastika.

For a more detailed description of these images please email us.

The dimensions of the case are: H x W x D = 80 x 355 x 80mm