Inkwell, trench art
Production date
1917-1918
Country
France
See full details
Object detail
Description
Handmade inkwell constructed from copper sheets, bullets, cartridge cases and an artillery shell fuse, with an 1856 coin of Napoleon III
Classification
DOMESTIC EQUIPMENT Writing Equipment (see also COMMERCE) inkwell
MILITARY Army battlefield souvenirs
MILITARY Army bullet, ww1
ARMS & ARMOUR Ammunition, metal cartridge centre fire
ARMS & ARMOUR Ordnance bullet
MILITARY Army battlefield souvenirs
MILITARY Army bullet, ww1
ARMS & ARMOUR Ammunition, metal cartridge centre fire
ARMS & ARMOUR Ordnance bullet
Production date
1917-1918
Production place
Measurements
L178 x W162 x H130 mm
Media/Materials description
Steel (Metals - Ferrous), Brass (Metals - Non-Ferrous), Copper (Metals - Non-Ferrous)
Signature/Marks
FROM \ CHARLIE \ YPRES \ 4-10-17 \ TO \ ETHEL \ MESSINES \ 6/6/17
AUSTRALIA
NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR 1856
Numbers from 1-22
AUSTRALIA
NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR 1856
Numbers from 1-22
History and use
This inkwell is an example of trench art made during World War 1. It was made by Charles Farrow Blunderfield for his future wife, Ethel King. Charles Blunderfield was a 26-year-old Queensland miner who enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 18 December 1915. He was appointed Sapper in the Engineer Reinforcements 2nd MD, and later as Driver in the 9th Field Company Engineers. In 1920 he married Margaret Ethel King.
Trench art is the popular name given to objects made from materials of war by soldiers, prisoners of war and civilians during and after armed conflict. In many ways these objects are social documents that provide a creative, three dimensional perspective to an individual’s experience of war. Some trench art was made to be sold, while other pieces were personal mementoes.
This object has “to Ethel” and “from Charlie” etched into the ends, and “Ypres” and “Messines” in the sides, indicating that Charles Blunderfield may have made it while filling in time in the trenches in Belgium. It has been constructed from copper sheets, bullets, a cartridge and an artillery shell fuse, with an 1856 coin of Napoleon III.
Trench art is the popular name given to objects made from materials of war by soldiers, prisoners of war and civilians during and after armed conflict. In many ways these objects are social documents that provide a creative, three dimensional perspective to an individual’s experience of war. Some trench art was made to be sold, while other pieces were personal mementoes.
This object has “to Ethel” and “from Charlie” etched into the ends, and “Ypres” and “Messines” in the sides, indicating that Charles Blunderfield may have made it while filling in time in the trenches in Belgium. It has been constructed from copper sheets, bullets, a cartridge and an artillery shell fuse, with an 1856 coin of Napoleon III.
Associated person
Registration number
H40376
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