{"product_id":"1937-british-trench-art-shell-case-hand-engraved-memento-mori-skull-crossbones","title":"1937 British Trench Art Shell Case – Hand-Engraved Memento Mori Skull \u0026 Crossbones","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA fascinating and highly unusual piece of British military trench art, this brass \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e3¼-inch artillery shell case\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e has been extensively hand engraved with a striking memento mori design featuring a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eskull and crossbones, chains, crossed bones and the dates 1914–1919\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe shell case itself is clearly dated \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1937\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in the headstamp, meaning it was manufactured almost two decades after the First World War ended. This creates an intriguing mystery surrounding the engraving. Was it produced by a serviceman during the Second World War in remembrance of the previous conflict? Was it created by a veteran or commemorative craftsman? Without provenance, we simply cannot know — but the dates make this a particularly interesting piece.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe decoration appears to be \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehand engraved\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with visible variations and tool marks throughout rather than modern machine or laser engraving. The skull and memento mori imagery gives the piece a wonderfully macabre character and makes it particularly suited to a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecabinet of curiosities, military collection or gothic interior\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe shell retains a lovely aged brass patina and has not been excessively polished, allowing the character of the engraving and its age to remain visible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeadstamp:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e P15 Ltd \/ 3¼” \/ M17 \/ 1937–85\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Brass\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Shell case manufactured 1937; date of engraving uncertain\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Good antique condition with expected age-related marks, surface wear and patination. Please study photographs carefully.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn object with a mystery\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe most intriguing aspect of this piece is perhaps the simplest question:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy does a shell manufactured in 1937 commemorate 1914–1919?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe may never know the answer — and that is precisely what makes it such a wonderful curiosity and totally unique.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56745002729812,"sku":null,"price":115.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1049\/5246\/3700\/files\/IMG_6371.jpg?v=1786293528","url":"https:\/\/drodditiescabinetofcuriosities.co.uk\/products\/1937-british-trench-art-shell-case-hand-engraved-memento-mori-skull-crossbones","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}