Antique French WWI Repoussé Brass Trench Art Vessel
With a nuanced balance of historical narrative and sculptural presence, this authentic World War I brass vessel brings immediate architectural depth to a space. Crafted from a 1901 French 75mm artillery shell casing, the piece was transformed around 1915 using classical repoussé and chasing techniques, featuring a hand-embossed cartouche commemorating Mont-Saint-Éloi—a historic high point in the Pas-de-Calais region of France. To dive a bit deeper, the headstamp on the underside reveals a complete manufacturing history, identifying the casing as a French 75mm artillery shell produced in November 1901 (⁠NOV B⁠ / ⁠1901⁠) before seeing service in World War I. Stamped into the brass are state arsenal production and foundry batch codes, including ⁠d53⁠ and ⁠117⁠ for lot sequences, ⁠MAT 31⁠ for metal composition control, and ⁠A.VS⁠ representing a French state construction facility (such as the Atelier de Construction de Vincennes). Completing the base is the mark ⁠MA 52⁠, denoting a Manufacture d'Armes military foundry along with its official technical inspector number, all encircling the original threaded brass percussion primer at the center. Transcending its military roots, the turned-brass form has evolved into a versatile design piece. Display it as a sculpture, fill it with dried botanicals, or use it as a warm metallic counterpoint to modern ceramics and art. Sourced in Northport, New York. Dimensions: 13'' Diameter at widest point, 3.5'' base, 2.9'' opening at top.