Today I went to the Bell County Museum to see the traveling exhibit on display there "From Swords to Plowshares--Metal Trench Art From WWI". The display consists of all beautiful art objects made from brass shell casings by soldiers in WWI. The trash of war--becoming beautiful art through the hands of the artisan who was in the trenches. These pieces were crafted and then sold or given to widows, orphans, and wounded soldiers from WWI. Many of the pieces were done by Hungarian soldiers who had been trained in the metal arts as Hungary was well known for this trade. The pieces were made from small gun shells up to very large shells. The art was mostly made during the lulls of battle while the men sat in or near trenches so that they could take cover quickly if needed. Some pieces were of a religious nature which struck me as such an oxymoron to make a religious relic from a piece of wartime by-product. The detail on so many of the pieces were very intricate, and because it was brass, the pieces sparkle like gold from a king's palace. I've included some photos. It was a very interesting and touching exhibit. I applaud our little local museum for its exhibits--I really enjoyed this one.
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| Church sculpture from bullets |
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| Lamp from shell casing |
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| Decorative piece |
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| Ashtray from bullets |
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| Crucifix from bullet casings |
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| Vase from shell casing |
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| Crucifix from shell casings |
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| Vases |
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| Photo of WWI soldiers sitting on a pile of shell casings |
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| Eating utensils from bullet casings |
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| Our Local Museum |
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| Clock and vases from shell casings |
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