Wooden dagger

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.