Pair of World War I Trench Art Brass Tank Sculptures

A rare and highly evocative pair of First World War trench art tank sculptures, capturing both the material and memory of the closing years of the Great War. Each piece is handcrafted from repurposed brass, very likely originating from spent artillery shell casings, in keeping with traditional WWI trench art practices. The metal has been carefully cut, shaped, and soldered to form stylised representations of early tanks—icons of a new and formidable form of warfare. Copper-toned elements have been applied to suggest tracks and detail, adding contrast and visual depth. Mounted on solid brass bases, the tanks possess a strong sculptural presence, with a naïve, almost folk-art quality that is characteristic of authentic trench art. These are not precise models, but expressive interpretations—objects shaped by hand rather than machine. Both examples are engraved with significant inscriptions: - MONS 1918 – marking the final phase of fighting around Mons, Belgium, where British forces returned at the war’s end - BOISEL 1919 – likely referencing a French location connected to post-war occupation or demobilisation These inscriptions anchor the pieces firmly in time and place, suggesting a direct or personal connection to the events they commemorate. As with much trench art, they likely served as souvenirs or mementos, transforming the materials of conflict into objects of remembrance.