ARTISANAT DE TRANCHEES        
The Photo Gallery consists of  World War I trench art, mainly shells from field artillery guns, turned into vases, and classified as follows : 
US Divisions, Meuse-Argonne Battles, the Allies, Symbolic Vases, Botanic Vases, Animals, Shapes, Other vases. 
Tank, wire cutters, propeller, etc. are in the page Various. 


This collection is online for the enjoyment of collectors of World War I memorabilia, scholars, veterans, students and people curious about an unusual art form. The site is periodically updated to reflect  new acquisitions, as well as welcome contributions from expert visitors to the site. The collection is not for sale.

Trench art first appeared in 19th century wars and flourished in the trenches of the First World War (1914-1918), primarily on the Western Front, which stretched from the North Sea coast of Belgium and France, all the way to the Swiss border.
Trench art transformed whatever scrap metal littered the so-called no man's land, as well as behind the lines. It was born out of the troops' need  to keep themselves busy during the long lulls between deadly attacks. Brass cannon shells were changed into vases for dried flowers
and sent home to loved-ones. Vast quantities of rings, bracelets, letter-openers, desk accessories, matchbox holders, ashtrays and cigarette lighters were also created.                          
At the end of the war, those living around the devastated battle-grounds crafted commemorative vases and other mementos  which were brought back home by war veterans . Some of the surpluses from ordnance factories were also made into personalized souvenirs.