Carved by hand from scavenged aluminum, this French trench art ring dates to around 1915. The engraved Adrian helmet - a symbol of the French infantry - anchors it firmly in the brutal reality of WW1. Soldiers crafted pieces like this in moments of calm using whatever materials were at hand: aircraft parts, mess kits, shell casings. Wartime creativity and personal expression are on display here.
MATERIALS: aluminum
AGE: c. 1915
CONDITION: Very good
SIZE: 9.25, cannot be resized; 1/2" head, 1/8" shank