Sunday, 6 July 2008

The things I acquire!

I've shelled out on some planters for my garden.
They didn't cost me a bomb either!


The story goes that my Grandfather, on my dad's side, who fought in The Great War, brought back these brass shell cases from wherever he was fighting.
My dad has stored them for years, in his garage.
I think they went to auction at some point...and then came back again as noone wanted them .

They're flippin' heavy too!!


And now, because I always want to find out more about anything I acquire, I've discovered something called 'Trench Art'.
I found this quite interesting...

Which led me to:

Trench Art was a unique art form about which I knew little...but I know a lot more now just for acquiring these. Mine, however, have not been engraved, embossed or altered in any way...yet!

But it does seem kind of weird that something of beauty could be made out of something that helped to destroy...doesn't it?

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13 comments:

  1. cd&m6 July 2008 at 16:15

    Marvellous piece of history being put to a much better use.

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  2. Simone6 July 2008 at 17:22

    I have never heard of trench art. You're right, It does seem weird that something made to destory can be made into a thing of beauty. I suppose there is beauty in everything if we look hard enough.

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  3. Kitty6 July 2008 at 18:06

    Wow - trench art is cool. So are your planters. Won't the sun make the metal really hot and dry out the roots, or do you keep them in the shade? x

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  4. Sal6 July 2008 at 18:36

    What sun? LOL!!;-)

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  5. Mrs.Kwitty6 July 2008 at 19:23

    So you have taken something that comes from ugliness and turned it to beauty **applause** I love it!
    Smiles, Karen

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  6. Louise6 July 2008 at 19:52

    I thought this sentence sums up Trench Art 'it was born out of the troops need to keep themselves busy during the long lulls between deadly attacks'. Doesn't it make you feel so sad, and proud of these brave men. What an amazing story these shell cases could tell. Your Dad and Grandad have come up trumps again with these and great for them to be given a new lease of life. x

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  7. Jennie6 July 2008 at 21:03

    That was really interesting. I hadn't even heard of trench art!

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  8. Ally Jay7 July 2008 at 06:49

    Wow really interesting to find out about Trench art. I guess it just shows us that beauty is there in everything if we choose to find it.

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  9. Carol7 July 2008 at 16:01

    I had not heard of Trench Art either! very interesting. I think they look fab as little plant holders!
    Carol x

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  10. galant8 July 2008 at 18:40

    Love your unusual garden plant containers! Similarly, my husband and his brother were given (as children) money boxes made out of brass shell cases, with a military brass button on the top as the 'lid'.
    Margaret Powling

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  11. Anonymous9 July 2008 at 15:46

    Very interesting. You do learn something new everyday.

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  12. Felicia10 July 2008 at 15:33

    Recycling at its best! And such pretty flowers too :0

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  13. Gigibird10 July 2008 at 22:34

    I have some trench art!!
    A shell case my Grandfather brought back from the Somme and fashioned into a vase....I keep my long matches in it.
    As I visit Belgium and lot I have seen lots of TA in museums...some of it is quite beautiful.

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