Help with Trench Art

[james127]

I wandered into an antique store today (as one does) and found quite the array of militaria which included a TON of trench art. I'm guessing that there were around 75-100 shell casings. I don't know much about trench art and was wondering if anyone knew of a way to positively identify whether a piece was decorated during WWI or WWII vs. a guy who maybe got ahold of a casing in 1982 and started hammering some flowers and "Verdun 1917" on it himself.

[Mr.Jerry]

Typically unless they are buffed all to hell, the WW1 era shells maintain a very dull caramel colored patina (oxidation) darkening in the recesses. Also look for dirt dust and just plain funk on those nooks and crannies. As they say- "The devil is in the details".

[Bodes]

I would say chances are good the collection was pieced together by somebody knowing what they were doing.....There's one such similiar collection close to me that's being sold off...Doesn't mean there won't be an occasional dud (pun not intended) in the group, so with anything be sure the aging matches the item....Bodes

[scottiques]

Agree with others, but would add that quality is often the biggest tell- tale sign.

 

As most collectors know, the vast majority of WW1 pieces were made by craftsman and not actually crudely crafted in a trench. You will find more crudely made pieces from WW2 and lots of ashtrays.

 

While I do see a lot of modern created trench art, it is usually not shell vases. Biggest target areas of fakers seem to be miniatures and lighters.

 

If you could add a few photos of the grouping (or specific ones of interest), I and other collectors may be able to tell you ones to watch out for.

 

Good luck!

 

Scott

[manayunkman]

Go take pictures of them.

[james127]

Agree with others, but would add that quality is often the biggest tell- tale sign.

 

As most collectors know, the vast majority of WW1 pieces were made by craftsman and not actually crudely crafted in a trench. You will find more crudely made pieces from WW2 and lots of ashtrays.

 

While I do see a lot of modern created trench art, it is usually not shell vases. Biggest target areas of fakers seem to be miniatures and lighters.

 

If you could add a few photos of the grouping (or specific ones of interest), I and other collectors may be able to tell you ones to watch out for.

 

Good luck!

 

Scott

 

Thanks. Appreciate that. It'll be a few weeks before I'm back down in that area, but I'll be sure to take a bunch while I'm there. Thanks!