A meticulously crafted WWI trench art inkwell set. This set boasts an openwork back panel featuring a central political badge commemorating Charles I of Austria's headquarters being moved from Vienna to the front. Above the royal cypher, on the left, is the united coat of arms of the countries of the Holy Crown of Hungary, while on the right is the Imperial Coat of Arms of the Empire of Austria-Hungary. These four elements are elegantly displayed against a backdrop of openwork leaves. The leaves extend to the top of the inkwell set, encompassing two 110mm (10.50 cm) cartridge casings for the Krupp leichte Feldhaubitze 98/09 (light field howitzer model 1898/1909). The first shell, manufactured by Haniel Luege Düsseldorf, is dated "April 1914" with a lot batch # of "2" and a control/inspection mark of "HL20." The second shell, manufactured by Die Polte Armaturen- und Maschinenfabrik, is dated "April 1915" with a German proof mark of "mg2" and a batch # of "142." On the front housing of the inkwells, an applied circular cartouche with an openwork field features a central portrait of Charles I of Austria and his wife Princess Zita of Bourbon-Parma, above a royal cypher and below an Austrian Karpathen Korps Hofmann badge. The reverse is fitted with an Austro-Hungarian uniform button. On the sides, you'll find a decorative handle constructed from partial shell casings. This is indeed a true relic from the Great War. From a Pelham Manor NY estate. Dimensions: inkwell set measures approx. 11" w x 5.25" d x 8.75" h.

As in images.