The Rose of 1914

An authentic World War I trench art vase crafted from a German 75mm artillery shell casing dated 1914, the opening year of the First World War. Originally manufactured for German field artillery, this shell was later repurposed and artistically transformed by hand into a decorative vase.

The surface features a raised rose motif framed by leaves, set against a finely textured background. The scalloped rim and flared base give the piece an elegant, sculptural form—contrasting sharply with its original function as a weapon of war.

The original German headstamp remains visible on the base, preserving its wartime identity. Trench art objects like this were made by soldiers or civilians using battlefield remnants, often as keepsakes, commemorative pieces, or gifts for loved ones.

A powerful early-war artifact, symbolizing the transformation of conflict into remembrance.