Hollingsworth Fine Arts Traveling Exhibitions

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Sacred Russian Castings: 11th-19th C. Metal Icons & Crosses
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From Swords to Plowshares: WWI & WWII Trench Art
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Decorated artillery shells, Australian, WWII
TA.320DSC00446.JPG

From Swords to Plowshares
 
Metal Trench Art from WWI and WWII

The metal trench art objects in this exhibition are as varied and unique as the military and civilian artists who created them. The works date from the origins of this brass art form in the trenches of France during the first World War, to post World War II pieces. Makers of trench art utilized artillery shells, bullets, shrapnel, aircraft parts, currency and other miscellaneous metal scrap and applied materials.

 

The ingenuity and skill ranged from primitive artillery shell vases to elaborate lamps, cigarette lighters and ashtrays exhibiting high artistic craftsmanship. The captivating decorative appeal of trench art often reflected stylistic influences of the time, such as Art Nouveau. Often folk art designs with elaborate engraving and repoussé work were  incorporated. A number of elements combined during wartime to nurture the production of these pieces: soldiers had long periods of idle time; many came from metalworking occupations; and there often was an abundance of workable material littering the landscape. Soldiers behind the front lines were not the only group that created such souvenirs; prisoners of war and convalescent soldiers also made trench art. Indigenous artisans created pieces to be sold as souvenirs to soldiers during the war or to grieving widows and family members visiting post-war battlefields.

 

Trench art from the following countries is featured in this exhibition: United States, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Germany, France, Canada, Australia, Belgium and Czechoslovakia.

Rifle cartridge and bullets ashtray
TA129.jpg
American, WWII

Bullet crucifix
TA162.jpg
French, WWI

Projectile salt and pepper shakers
TA180.jpg
Canadian Navy, WWII

Decorated artillery shell ashtray and lighter
TA.268DSC00529.JPG
Austro-Hungarian, WWI

Artillery shell base, officer's cap
TA324.JPG
King's Light Infantry, British, WWI

Model bomber, rifle cartridges
TA.245DSC00454.JPG
American, WWII

Decorated artillery shell
TA.194frontDSC00474.JPG
Piave River, Italy, WWI

Artillery shell, helmet, bullets lamp
TA231sideview.jpg
American, WWII

Decorated artillery shell
CopyofDSC00456.JPG
Hungarian, WWI

Decorated artillery shell
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US Navy, Bordeaux, France, WWI

OPTION 1 

 

Includes:

150 WWI metal trench art objects including artillery shell vases, ashtrays, cigarette lighters, lamps, swagger sticks and other assorted decorative and functional souvenirs. Historical photographs of soldiers making trench art are also included.

 

Fee: $3,500* (8 weeks); ($500 per additional 2 weeks to extend rental period)*

*Insurance and roundtrip transportation costs not included in rental fee

 

Security: Moderate (exhibit cases are required for small sized objects).

 

Space: 750 to 1,000 sq. ft.

 

 

 

OPTION 2 

 

Includes:

150 WWII metal trench art objects including artillery shell vases, ashtrays, cigarette lighters, lamps, swagger sticks and other assorted decorative and functional souvenirs. Historical photographs of soldiers making trench art are also included.

 

Fee: $3,500* (8 weeks); ($500 per additional 2 weeks to extend rental period)*

*Insurance and roundtrip transportation costs not included in rental fee

 

Security: Moderate (exhibit cases are required for small sized objects).

 

Space: 750 to 1,000 sq. ft.

 

 

 

OPTION 3

 

Includes:

300 World War I and World War II metal trench art objects including artillery shell vases, ashtrays, cigarette lighters, lamps, swagger sticks and other assorted decorative and functional souvenirs. Historical photographs of soldiers making trench art are also included.

 

Fee: $6,000* (8 weeks); ($750 per additional 2 weeks to extend rental period)*

*Insurance and roundtrip transportation costs not included in rental fee

 

Security: Moderate (exhibit cases are required for small sized objects).

 

Space: 1,500 to 2,000 sq. ft.

 

Next

 
 
 
Other HFA WWI and WWII exhibit:

Songs of the Patriot

 
 
Our exhibition in Budapest, Hungary- September-December 2006
 

 
 
 
To read more about trench art online visit the following links:

Trench art photos and information written by Jane Kimball

Trench art photos and information written by Dr. Nicholas Saunders

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Updated March 2008