DATE: WW1, c.1914

An unusually styled WW1 trench art signet ring commemorating the battle of Yzer which took place along a stretch of the Yser river, Belgium, in October 1914. The German advance was held by a large Belgian force, but the defensive stand was costly for both sides. The Allied victory blocked the Germans from occupying the last pocket of Belgium at this early stage in the war; it remained in Allied control until 1918, and was a great source of national pride for decades to come. 

This signet ring will have been made by a soldier who fought in the battle, using a section of aluminium nose cone from an artillery shell. Given the circumstances, its remarkably well made and remains wearable to this day. The styling is quite unusual, and would have been very modern in its time.

MEASUREMENTS 

Head: 2.0 x 1.2cm

Rise off finger: 2.8mm

Width of band: 8.8mm

WEIGHT 

5.0g

MARKS 

No marks present

CONDITION 

Very good