Belle Maison Store
The Oak Remains – WWI Trench Art (1917)
Description
This 75mm World War I trench art shell is a powerful tribute to endurance and remembrance. Crafted in 1917 and discovered in Normandy, it features a beautifully detailed oak leaf repoussé — a timeless symbol of strength and resilience, especially in French tradition.
Its dark, time-worn patina and scalloped edge speak to both its age and authenticity. This piece was likely made by a French soldier stationed near the front lines, using a spent artillery casing as a canvas for expression. The craftsmanship is striking, with the textured background giving dramatic depth to the raised botanical motif.
Whether the oak leaf was chosen to represent a fallen comrade, the steadfastness of nature, or the soldier’s own inner strength, the message is clear: something strong can grow even from destruction.
About Trench Art
Trench art refers to items made by soldiers, prisoners of war, and civilians using remnants of battle—often in moments of stillness between the horrors of combat. These pieces were crafted from spent shells, bullets, and shrapnel, transformed into vessels of memory, identity, and survival.
No two are alike. Each carries not only history but humanity—an echo from the hands that made them.
Dimensions: 14" x 4"