Debra Clifford Antiques Devon

Description

2 1914-1915 handmade WWI Trench Art Coal Shuttles--Made and ID'd from Souvenir Shell casings from the French Battlefields of YPRES and LILLE, France:

These are 2 large heavy and very high quality original antique World War One era trench art coal scuttles with ornate scoops are etched with the words SOUVENIR BATAILLE YPRES and LILLE and are both made by the same hand from souvenir casings off those two French WWI battlefields. They are battle souvenirs.

They weigh 2.8 and 2.5 pounds each. Heavy high quality thick brass, and well crafted by the same skilled soldier craftsperson. These areas are about 20 miles apart in the general Calais area of France.

Both are clearly identified with wonderful old folky embellished and decorated leaves, as well as naively etched or carved text. We feel the same soldier made each of theses items. This is the WWI era concept of make-do at its finest.

About each piece, and text:

1. YPRES Bataille Souvenir Scuttle and Scoop: This has the date on the shell casing of 1914. Heavy with a rolled brass tubing handle that moves on two brass rivets. It is not stationary, as on the other piece he made. The scoop is embellished with vines of leaves and has it's own brass scoop banded holder on the casing end side, is intact. The pointed bullet ends are scuttle feet, and a bullet is the handle of the coal scoop. A heavy old shell casing with many identified and engraved letters and numbers on flat bottom, see photos. It is heavy and weighs about 2.5 pounds by itself.

The Battle of Ypres was a series of WWI first World War engagements near the Belgian city of Ypres. It was fought between the German and the Allied armies of Belgian, French, the British and Canadian Expeditionary Forces. The Second Battle of Ypres was from the end of April to 15th May, 1915.

2. LILLE Bataille Souvenir Brass Scuttle and Scoop: This is the heavier one with the handle made of 3 solid brass bullet shells. Text on it reads: LILLE Bataille Souvenir with embellished leaves and vines. It weighs about 2.8 pounds, by itself.

Known as both the Battle of Armentières and the Battle of Lille, it was a WWII battle fought by French and British forces against the Germans in October 1914, and also called the Race to the Sea. It is located near Calais. The occupation of Lille by the Germans began in October 1914 after a siege in which 882 apartment blocks and 1,500 houses and buildings were demolished centered near the railway station and Lilles town. When occupied, it became a place for the treatment of the wounded, as well as known as for soldiers' relaxation and entertainment.

These historical pieces were found together in South West England. They have been together 100 years, so I will keep them together still. We did not polish them in any way, and as they were found with the original patina and finish. They would polich up beautifully if you were interested in doing so.

Sizes: Each 7 x 4 inches, made from old heavy brass original WWI era military equipment.

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