“War nailing” of the Oberzeiring Choral and Music Society, 1915/1916
As war fever reached its peak, in 1915 so-called “war nailings” (Kriegsnagelungen) started to be advertised as a way to raise money and as a form of propaganda. Single nails could be bought and then publicly hammered in to a decorative plaque – often by children. The transformation of soft wood into hard metal was seen as symbolic of the strengthening of society through war. But that was not the story for this plaque from Oberzeiring. Hardly anyone wanted to take part in the fundraising campaign. The parts that should have been covered in nails later had to be coated in metal paint. The banner bearing a military motto was levered out, turning the plaque into a seemingly harmless coat of arms.
DetailsAssociated date: 1915/1916
Place: Oberzeiring, Styria, Austria
Height: 70 cm
Width: 65 cm
Depth: 3.1 cm
Materials: Wood, metal paint, tin, metal
Acquisition: Donation
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