This pair of decorative vases is fashioned from brass artillery shell casings, examples of the folk art known as trench art produced during the First World War (1914-1918). The cylindrical bodies feature etched or engraved decoration depicting stylised floral and foliate motifs influenced by the Art Nouveau style. The upper rim of the primary casing has been hand-cut and splayed into a series of pointed, petal-like crenulations, a common decorative treatment for such pieces. The original shell bases remain intact to provide a stable footing. While the form and decoration are highly characteristic of French 75mm shell casings, the absence of visible headstamps in the provided images prevents a definitive identification of the manufacturer or calibre. A partial modern paper adhesive label is present on the lower side of one casing.
Share this lot:
