Wild Atlantic Way Antiques

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Exceptional Trench Art - French Military WW1 Army Trench Art Crucifix

SOLD

Code: C/Mil202



An exceptional piece of Trench Art, made during World War One by a French Soldier present at the Battle of Verdun in France, fought in 1916 and the longest battle recorded during the First World War. This Trench Art souvenir has been made using  spent rifle casings and a symbol of Christ on the Cross. A brass scroll with the name 'Verdun' has been aded together with a little brass plaque bearing the coat of arms for the town. A moving piece of religious art, it has been made with a great deal of attention under the most difficult of conditions, no doubt giving comfort and protection during extremely adverse times.

The spent casings are made of brass as is the Corpus Christi and the plaques. The base of the Cross has a few dents in it, evidence of close contact with the owner, it is well worn were it has been rubbed showing how important a devotional item it was and the Corpus has been attached by a single brass pin; we surmise that no other pins were available at the time and the image has been carefully shaped against the body of the casings. The Body of Christ seems to have a higher Copper content in the brass than the rifle casings as it has a slightly darker colour. A very moving little item, carrying a silent story. 

The cross is 6" or 15cm in height and 2" or 5cm wide. The depth is about 0.75" or 2cm.