**Originally Listed At $200**

Western Europe, World War I era, ca. 1914 to 1918. A large brass casing from a deadly mortar shell, clearly fired during the war, and transformed into modern art. The lower half is crimped into scalloped design, and the upper section is painstakingly shaped into a semi-comical scene. A rotund man in uniform throws his arms up in surprise, his hat flying off his head, and weapons his weapons falling to the ground. Above his head is a simple question in German: "KAMERAD?" (Comrade?). The expression on the soldier's face is of extreme surprise. Around are four flowers or snowflakes. This imagery is all skillfully delineated in repousse against a meticulously textured background. The artist may have had a dark sense of humor or who undoubtedly spent many days deep in a muddy trench and was desperate to see a friendly face. The base is marked 75 DEC. Soldiers created remarkable works during the lulls from the front lines to be kept as mementos. Size: 3.25" Diameter x 13.75" H (8.3 cm x 34.9 cm)

Provenance: private Glorieta, New Mexico, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#164837

Age and use expected surface wear. Abrasion and small indentation to side. Flaking of silver surface on man's face. Other minor surface abrasions and wear.