Lot #11: 1915 WWI Brass Trench Art Shell Casing with Stylized Foliage Engraving

A fascinating example of WWI trench art where a utilitarian military object becomes a work of decorative art. This substantial 1915-dated 18 PR brass artillery shell casing has been extensively engraved with flowing, stylized foliage, leaves and ornamental line work, transforming the original military casing into a highly decorative object. There is an intriguing Pop Art / Warhol connection in concept rather than provenance. Decades before Pop Art artists elevated ordinary manufactured objects into art, trench artists were taking mass-produced objects of industrial warfare and recontextualizing them as decorative and personal works of art. The contrast between the casing’s original purpose and its ornate engraved treatment gives this piece an unexpectedly modern artistic quality. The casing retains its original markings, including: * 18 PR * II * 5/15 * 1915 * Additional factory/inspection markings The engraving is particularly interesting for its bold, flowing botanical forms, which cover the brass surface and create a graphic quality that photographs beautifully when the light catches the incised lines. A wonderful addition to a collection of WWI militaria, trench art, artillery shell casings, folk art or early 20th-century decorative arts. Condition: Antique/vintage condition with surface wear, scratches, patina, oxidation and other age-related marks. Engraving remains visible throughout. Please examine photographs carefully for condition. Pickup category timeslot {A}