WWI Trench Art Brass Ammunition Shell Fire Starter Fireplace Mantel

A remarkable piece of trench art made from a brass artillery casing and reworked into the appearance of a traditional tankard. The casing features an ornate naval motif at the top and sits on a matching brass tray, giving the piece an unusually impressive presentation.

Mounted to the brass handle is a pumice stone, which is the functional fire-starting element of the piece. The pumice stone can be soaked with kerosene or an oily fire-starting fluid and then lit when placed into the fire, allowing it to act as a slow-burning fire starter. This ingenious use of repurposed military material is a wonderful example of the practical creativity found in trench art and wartime objects.

Measuring approximately 12 inches tall and 6 x 5 inches overall, this is a substantial and highly unusual piece with excellent presence. The tankard-like form, ornate naval decoration, brass tray, and original military casing give it the qualities of both a historical artifact and a striking decorative object.

In excellent condition and ready to make an exceptional statement on a fireplace mantel, in a military collection, or anywhere you want a truly unusual piece of early 20th-century history and craftsmanship.

Trench art is particularly fascinating because these pieces often represent the ingenuity of servicemen who transformed spent military materials into useful or decorative objects. This example is an especially unusual combination of ammunition shell, brass craftsmanship, and fire-starting function.

In excellent condition and ready to become a distinctive statement piece in your home or collection.