The Meadow Bloom Shell

WWI Trench Art Brass Vase – “The Meadow Bloom Shell”
France, c. 1914–1918
Height: 29 cm (11.4")
Diameter: 8.5 cm
Weight: approx. 1.06 kg

A beautifully preserved example of World War I trench art, this brass vase was formed from a spent artillery shell casing and later meticulously sculpted by hand. The transformation of military materials into decorative objects became a powerful artistic outlet during the war.

This piece features an engraved floral form rising through a field of finely chiseled texture, with leaves and stems rendered in soft relief. The extensive handwork—covering nearly the entire surface—demonstrates the level of time and care invested in its creation.

Objects such as this were often made as souvenirs or gifts, serving as tangible reminders of survival, memory, and hope. Preserved in its original condition, the surface bears gentle signs of age that speak to its journey through history.