Germany, Imperial. A Late First World War Trench Art Shell

(Grabenkunst). A rare late First World War trench art shell, constructed of brass, the outer circumference featuring a hand-pounded dimpled background covering approximately three-quarters of the surface, bearing a raised biplane with a Luftstreitkräfte Iron Cross clearly visible on the tail, above a U-Boat, with stylized clouds dispersed over the skyline, the base stamped with a manufacture date of “JULI 1918” and with calibre information indicating that the shell has been re-purposed from ammunition for the German Feldkanone 96, also stamped with the maker’s mark of Haniel Luege, Düsseldorf, measuring 90 mm (w) x 230 mm (h), a unique commemorative piece from the closing days of the First World War in extremely fine condition.