Trench art is any decorative item made by soldiers, prisoners of war, or civilians where the manufacture is directly linked to armed conflict or its consequences. It offers an insight not only to their feelings and emotions about the war, but also their surroundings and the materials they had available to them.

Not limited to the World Wars, the history of trench art spans conflicts from the Napoleonic Wars to the present day. Although the practice flourished during World War I, the term 'trench art' is also used to describe souvenirs manufactured by service personnel during World War II. Some items manufactured by soldiers, prisoners of war or civilians during earlier conflicts have been retrospectively described as trench art.

The trench art was done by a Belgian soldier on an Imperial Russian Model 1897 aluminum mess kit “cauldron”.

Featured In The Book “Trench Art, An Illustrated History” by Jane Kimball on Page 224

  Russian mess kit decorated by a Belgian soldier with a zig-zag work background and "Souvenir de la Guerre" on a ribbon at the top, crossed flags, "1914 1915" and two artillery guns with shells. The verso is engraved with the Belgian coat of arms and the Belgian motto "Union Fait Force "

The basin is in wonderful condition with the expected dents and scratches in the surface. There is no significant damage present and makes for a wonderful display item.