Trench Art Photo Frame, 1890s

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This double photo frame, made using the trench art technique, was created in the early 20th century in the German … Read more This double photo frame, made using the trench art technique, was created in the early 20th century in the German Empire from brass shells and rifle bullets. The structure of the frame is based on cylindrical bullet shapes separating the side edges, the base, and the central partition. The top of each section is accented with three-dimensional imperial crowns with a motif of spread wings, stars, and medallions with stylized portraits. The lower edges are covered with an openwork, geometric ornament that gives the whole a graphic expression. The metal finish is matte, with fragments of satin sheen and local patina; the surfaces show signs of oxidation and scratches. At the back, the frame reveals raw wood and peeling paint, emphasizing its handcrafted and military origins. The flagship elements are the visible joints—rivets and welds—left unmasked. The frame refers to a multi-layered history—the transformation of military material into a family heirloom. The solemnity of military forms and the precision of detail correspond here with the fleeting nature of memory, as if brass had captured traces of everyday life on the front line and the transformation of a wartime artifact into a personal prop. The unique composition of geometric motifs and reliefs symbolizes the closure of past times in a tangible form, evoking the atmosphere of the era and the importance of individual experience. The frame is best displayed solo on an oak or walnut console, especially when surrounded by 19th and 20th century military items, porcelain, or antique clocks. It can be combined with dark textiles or accessories in shades of graphite to emphasize the color of old gold. Spot lighting will accentuate the details of the crowns and openwork motifs, and in collector's or eclectic spaces, it will emphasize the character of a study or classic library. See less