1937 British Trench Art Shell Case – Hand-Engraved Memento Mori Skull & Crossbones

A fascinating and highly unusual piece of British military trench art, this brass 3¼-inch artillery shell case has been extensively hand engraved with a striking memento mori design featuring a skull and crossbones, chains, crossed bones and the dates 1914–1919.

The shell case itself is clearly dated 1937 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.

The decoration appears to be hand engraved, 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 cabinet of curiosities, military collection or gothic interior.

The 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.

Headstamp: P15 Ltd / 3¼” / M17 / 1937–85
Material: Brass
Period: Shell case manufactured 1937; date of engraving uncertain
Condition: Good antique condition with expected age-related marks, surface wear and patination. Please study photographs carefully.

An object with a mystery

The most intriguing aspect of this piece is perhaps the simplest question:

Why does a shell manufactured in 1937 commemorate 1914–1919?

We may never know the answer — and that is precisely what makes it such a wonderful curiosity and totally unique.