World War I Trench Art Brass Shell Case - Crown Motif

A striking and evocative piece of First World War trench art, this brass shell case has been skillfully transformed from a piece of military hardware into a decorative object rich with symbolism and history. Originally a spent artillery shell—evidenced by the stamped base marked “6 PR” (six-pounder)—the casing has been carefully reworked by hand. A copper band has been added around the body, along with applied decorative elements including a detailed crown motif, giving the piece a distinctly personal and artistic character. The underside retains its original factory and inspection marks, offering insight into its military origins: - “6 PR” – Indicates a 6-pounder shell, referring to the weight of the projectile the casing was designed for. - Roman numeral “II” – Denotes the Mark or pattern of the casing (Mark II). - Broad arrow mark – A traditional British government property mark, confirming military issue. - “Lot 23” – Identifies the production batch or manufacturing lot. - “C F” – Likely the manufacturer’s initials or factory code. - Number “14” – Commonly interpreted as the year of manufacture (1914), placing it at the very start of World War I. - Circled “1” – An inspection or quality control stamp used during production. Trench art objects like this were often created by soldiers during periods of downtime or by artisans working with surplus military materials. They served as souvenirs, mementos, or gifts—transforming the materials of war into objects of remembrance and expression.