Iron Petals - WWI Trench Art Shell (1918)

This striking 75mm trench art artillery shell, crafted in 1918 during the final year of World War I, is a moving tribute to the resilience of those who endured the trenches. Its jagged crown top, carefully flared by hand, frames a dramatic design—an embossed band of leaves encircling the body of the shell, rising upward in quiet strength. The original darkened patina has been beautifully preserved, lending the piece a raw, authentic edge that speaks to its age and history.

Trench art was a deeply personal form of expression for soldiers, created during rare moments of rest amid the chaos of war. Each shell like this one was repurposed from spent munitions and transformed into a work of remembrance—meant to honor loved ones, mark the passage of time, or simply find beauty in survival.

Although similar designs may be found on other shells, no two pieces are ever exactly alike. Each was individually crafted, making this an authentic and one-of-a-kind piece of history.

Dimensions: 9" x 4"