First World War French Trench Art Shell Vase - “Souvenir de la Somme” - 9"

A First World War French trench art vase, made from a brass artillery shell casing from the Somme front, circa 1914–1918. The surface is entirely hand-worked with dense stippled punchwork, creating a textured ground from which repoussé decoration emerges in relief.

A flowing banner inscribed “Souvenir de la Somme” wraps around the body, accompanied by garlands of leaves and clusters of grapes. On the reverse, a finely rendered urn motif is framed by laurel branches. The composition is balanced and carefully executed, showing the skill and patience of its maker.

The brass has developed a warm, even patina, with gentle darkening in the recesses that brings out the relief work. Minor marks and light oxidation are present, consistent with age. The piece is in very good condition overall, with crisp and well-preserved detail. Nicely proportioned and reassuringly solid in the hand, it is a distinctive collector’s piece.

“Souvenir de la Somme” translates to “Memory of the Somme,” referring to one of the most significant and devastating battlefields of the First World War. Objects like this belong to the tradition of trench art, where soldiers transformed spent shell casings and battlefield materials into decorative or commemorative pieces. These works often served as personal mementos, marking a place, a moment, or survival itself, and today they stand as quiet reminders of lived experience amid conflict.

It would sit well on a mantelpiece, beside a hearth, or on the floor as a decorative vessel, used with a liner as a vase or cachepot for dried branches or foliage. It can also serve as a waste paper basket, making it both practical and decorative. A distinctive piece for any interior that values history and craftsmanship.