*Imperial German, WW1, Pair of Trench Art Shell Case Vases — Dated 1917 & 1918, “World War” & “World Peace” Commemorative Engravings*
A well-matched and attractively engraved pair of World War I trench art vases, made from original German brass artillery shell cases. Each stands approx. 22.7 cm tall, with a 9 cm base and 7.7 cm throat diameter. The decoration includes delicate trailing foliage and butterflies, with deeply incised commemorative inscriptions: one bearing “Souvenir of the World War 1914–1919” and the other “Souvenir of the World Peace — 28. Juni 1919” marking the date of the Treaty of Versailles. The matching engraving style suggests both were created as a commemorative pair soon after the war, likely by a soldier or civilian artisan.
Shell Case Markings and Identification: Shell 1 (1918) “Souvenir of the World War 1914–1919”: -PATRONENFABRIK KARLSRUHE -Dated: JAN 1918 -Sp255 — inspection mark specific to Karlsruhe (1916–18) -St 442 — strengthened steel case
-Crowned Imperial German inspection stamp
Shell 2 (1917) “Souvenir of the World Peace — 28. Juni 1919” : -Dated: MARZ 1917 -HL 48, HL 6 — for Haniel & Luege, Düsseldorf (brass supplier) -st — strengthened case
-No direct maker, but components consistent with German field shell production
Historical Note: German shell bases rarely included explicit gun-type designations, unlike British and French examples. Identification today relies on size, context, and production codes. The cases were most likely fired from a 7.7 cm Feldkanone — the FK 96, FK 96 n.A., or the FK 16. All three field gun types used the same calibre ammunition, and the shell casings were broadly interchangeable. The FK 96 n.A. was the most widely used German field gun of WWI, while the FK 16, with its longer barrel, began to replace it from 1916 onwards.
The engraving of “28. Juni 1919” directly commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, formally ending the war. Together, these vases embody the shift from destruction to remembrance — typical of trench art created by soldiers or civilians turning spent munitions into symbols of reflection and peace.
*Condition* Both vases are well preserved with strong engraved detail and polished surfaces. Minor mouth distortion to one rim; internal patina and age-related tarnish consistent with original use. Base stamps are crisp and readable. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
Finely engraved pair of WW1 German trench art vases, dated 1917 & 1918, commemorating both the First World War and the Treaty of Versailles.
