Lot 243, Auction 4/20/2026: WWI Trench Art Shell Lamp with Figural Handles

$292.50

In stock

Europe, World War I, ca. 1914 to 1918 CE. A powerful remnant of the First World War recast as sculpture and light, this mortar shell has been transformed into an arresting example of trench art. Rising from a stepped wooden base sheathed in brass, the cylindrical casing retains its martial silhouette while assuming an unexpectedly decorative presence. The body is formed from a brass mortar shell, its surface softened by warm patina and subtle tonal variation acquired over time. The original projectile form remains evident in the tapered shoulder and conical top beneath the socket mount. The base, constructed of wood and clad in carefully fitted brass sheets, provides both structural support and visual weight, reinforcing the vertical thrust of the design. Size: 6.25″ L x 7″ W x 20.75″ H (15.9 cm x 17.8 cm x 52.7 cm)

Most compelling are the paired handles, each cast in the form of a veiled female figure standing upon a small plinth. The women are modestly draped, their heads covered by long veils that evoke religious habits. They were possibly intended to represent nuns, or more broadly allegorical figures of faith, mourning, or spiritual guardianship. Their elongated bodies curve outward from the shell before rejoining the cylindrical form, creating sculptural tension between ornament and armament.

Trench art objects such as this were often fashioned from spent munitions by soldiers or artisans during or shortly after the war. The conversion of a mortar shell – once designed for destruction – into a source of domestic light reflects a profound shift in meaning and purpose. Both historical artifact and decorative object, this WWI trench art mortar shell lamp stands as a testament to resilience and reinvention, merging the material legacy of war with personal craftsmanship and symbolism.

Condition: Still functions as a lamp, but recommended to rewire before use for safety. Weathering to surface as shown with patina in areas.

Provenance: ex-private collection, Fairhaven, Massachusetts, USA, collected from 2010 to 2015

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