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Vintage WWI WWII Trench Art Pocket Shrine St Joseph Infant Jesus Belgium Metal
Brand: Unmarked.
Item: Antique World War I trench art pocket shrine featuring Saint Joseph and the Infant Jesus.
Color: Silver tone outer casing with bronze tone inner relief figure.
Design details: Cylindrical housing with a cutout window revealing a robed Saint Joseph holding the Infant Jesus inside a small niche.
Design details (mechanism): Outer metal sleeve rotates around the inner devotional figure to open or close the shrine for carrying or display.
Materials: Mixed metal construction made from a repurposed ammunition cartridge casing with applied cast or pressed religious relief.
Markings: No maker's marks present; form and construction are consistent with field-made devotional trench art pieces attributed to Belgian Catholic soldiers.
Approximate size: Measures about 1.75 inches tall, sized to fit easily in a pocket, kit, or rosary pouch.
Approximate use: Personal Catholic devotional object or traveler's altar likely carried by a World War I soldier for protection and prayer.
Additional notes: Compact militaria collectible suitable for display with WWI relics, trench art, and religious artifacts from Belgium and the Western Front.
Condition: Shrine is pre-owned with substantial age-related wear. Outer sleeve shows surface scratches, small dents, and dark tarnish, especially on the domed top and lower rim. Window edges have rough hand-cut contours and metal irregularities. Inner Saint Joseph and Infant Jesus relief displays softened detail, discoloration, and green oxidation, but the structure is solid and the sleeve still rotates to open and close properly.
