Trench-Art Brass Box from Artillery Scrap, Small Personal Container

This small hand-formed brass box, measuring roughly two by three inches, is constructed in the improvised, asymmetrical manner characteristic of trench-art workshop production. Its walls and lid are fashioned from thin, repurposed brass plate with a warm, aged patina and uneven coloration from repeated handling and long service life. The lid shows wear patterns consistent with being cut and shaped from artillery scrap; the metal’s thickness and the irregular burnishing around the edges suggest it may have originated as part of a spent shell case or other field-recovered brass component. The body is built in two stepped tiers, with a simple friction-fit lid that drops onto the upper rim. The interior is unfinished and shows the raw tool marks, file strokes, and oxidation one expects from period soldier-made items.

Trench art of this type emerged on all fronts of the First World War, often produced by soldiers, prisoners of war, or local craftsmen using battlefield detritus. Brass from artillery casings was plentiful, easy to work, and widely repurposed into boxes, vases, lighters, coin holders, and keepsake containers. Small boxes like this were commonly used to hold coins, pills, matches, or personal tokens, and were often carried home as souvenirs. Their appeal lies in the unmistakably handmade quality—visible hammering, imperfect lines, and non-factory geometry—that distinguishes genuine wartime improvisation from later tourist production.

Collectors value authentic trench-art brasswork for its direct connection to the lived experience of soldiers and its use of salvaged martial materials. This example offers honest wear, uniform patination, and utilitarian construction that fit well within the spectrum of early twentieth-century battlefield craft. While unadorned and without decorative engraving, the simplicity enhances its credibility as a functional piece rather than a later commercial souvenir. Its compact size also makes it suitable for display alongside period desk items, cigarette cases, match safes, and other soldier-made artifacts.

Condition is fair and fully commensurate with handmade trench art. The lid shows edge wear and several areas where the top layer of brass has thinned or flaked from decades of oxidation and polishing. The base and sides retain an even, mellow tone with scattered small dents and surface scratches typical of soft brass. The interior is dry, uncleaned, and retains its original tool scars. The lid seats securely but not tightly, which is expected for a hand-cut friction fit.