Bidspirit auction | A Brass Trench Art Tank

A Brass Trench Art Tank Motif Vase, 1917 - A First World War period brass vase constructed from an 18-pounder artillery shell casing. The piece is decorated with hand-engraved and stippled motifs, featuring a central depiction of a British Mk IV or Mk V male tank with characteristic side-mounted gun sponsons. Below the tank is a diagonal banner containing the letters M.M. in a block style. The body is further embellished with stylized foliate vine work and scroll designs, alongside the commemorative dates 1914 - 1918. The top rim has been shaped into eight rounded, outward-flaring petals. The base of the casing is stamped with the year 1917 at the 12 o'clock position, a broad arrow symbol, the letter K, and a circle containing the letters CF. A small E is visible at the 6 o'clock position, and a further O is present near the central primer. Height: 29.2 cm Base Diameter: 8.9 cm.