Shell Casing of the Week: Crennelated, Fluted and Applied Work

Introduction:

Over the next few weeks, I will list a different Shell Casing from my collection, looking at the construction, techniques and terminology associated with the creation of Trench Art Shell Casings. I will also try to give a little of the history of these pieces, trying to dispel some of the myths.

(This Shell Casing is for sale for offers around £80)

TERMINOLOGY:

Crennellation:

Also referred to as: Scalloped or Crowned.

When the rim is cut to a pointed, petal like or rounded design to create a decorative effect. In the illustration below it can be seen to be both pointed and petal like (sorry about the quality of the photograph)!

Fluted:

Also refered to as: Corsetted, Pinched, Ribbed or Wasp-Waisted.

This constitutes compression of portions of the Shell to create evenly spaced protruding 'flutes.' The technique use for this decorative effect would be to mark out evenly, the number of flutes required before annealing the casing. This would require the heating of the metal to soften it to make it more malleable and enable the metal to tolerate the stresses on it produced  by the technique. (Other processes require the shell to be annealed and these will be discussed at a later date). The shaping process is now approached utilising either a wooden wedge or paddle and a hammer, tapping around the shell casing until the desired depth is achieved. 

Alternatively the gears of a field gun would be used to create a similar effect. Looking at the internal area of the fluting on this shell casing, I believe that it has been achieved using a wooden implement and a hammer, as there are tool marks still faintly visible.

Applied:

This refers to the application of a 'foreign' object being attached to the shell casing (or other piece being worked) usually being fixed by soldering or rivets. In this case we have trefoils of copper soldered to the surface of the shell casing to punctuate the base and  shoulder of each fluted stem, and the base of each of the crennelations.

Dimensions:

L 12.5" (32cm)

BASE 3 1/4" (9cm)

RIM 5" (13cm)

UNPACKAGED WEIGHT 1.23kg

Identifying marks:

75 DEC (IDENTIFYING IT AS FRENCH)

C 238 (WHICH I BELIEVE TO BE THE LOT NUMBER)

L (WOULD APPEAR TO DENOTE THE MANUFACTURER AS:

PYROTECHNIC MARITIME de LOURIENT)

17 (I BELIEVE TO BE THE YEAR OF MANUFACTURE)

C (?)

SOURCE: TRENCH ART AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY, JANE A. KIMBALL, PUB; SILVERPENNY PRESS DAVIS, CALIFORNIA

Description and history:

THIS ELEGANT TRENCH ART SHELL CASING WAS BOUGHT ON MY RECENT TRIP TO FRANCE FROM A BROCANTE IN THE SOMME REGION

THE STYLE IS ART NOUVEAU AS IS THE CASE WITH MANY OF THESE PIECES

IT IS FLUTED FOR ALMOST THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE BODY WITH AN ORGANIC PETAL CROWNING TO THE RIM

TO THE UPPER AND LOWER BODY IT HAS APPLIED CONTRASTING COLOURED METAL TREFOIL DECORATION

THERE IS A SLIGHT DING TO ONE OF THE PETALS ON THE RIM AND TRACES OF TOOL WORKING TO THE FLUTING BUT THIS HAS NO BEARING ON THE OVERALL AESTHETIC

THERE ARE NO OTHER CRACKS SPLITS OR DINGS

AVAILABLE FOR SALE WITH OFFERS AROUND

£80


PAYPAL AND CASH ON PICK UP ACCEPTED


FEEL FREE TO COMMENT OR ASK FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AT


art_ect@yahoo.co.uk
or call me on
(+44) 207 602 1158