Leg, key, heart

Zofia Pociłowska, before May 1945

Leg, key, heart, plastic, fabric

Leg: 6.5 x 1.3 x 0.3 cm / key 1 x 0.4 x 0.1 cm / heart 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.1 cm

Ravensbrück Memorial, V6383 D2

Photographer: Dr Cordia Schlegelmilch

Many prisoners were subjected to medical experiments in the Ravensbrück concentration camp, including 74 Polish women. Surgery was performed on their legs, maiming them for life. One of the victims was Marie Plater-Broel, who received all the miniatures shown here as gifts from Zofia Pociłowska. The small heart probably expresses the bond between the women, while the key can be viewed as a symbol of the attainment of freedom.