Rare Chinese Trench Art Ashtray & Matchbox Holder 1902 to 19122

Here on offer is a rare Chinese Trench Art Ashtray and Matchbox Holder, 1902 to 1912.

The main body is made of an artillery shell case that has English markings on the base along with a manufactured date that appears to be:

JAN 1902

A hand beaten dish has then been soldered to the cut down case to make the ashtray and in the centre is a shell case that supports a matchbox holder/dispenser.

The front of the holder has a Chinese Copper coin soldered in place, the front of which depicts early Chinese flags and my research has shown the coin to be a Chinese 10 Cash Coin.
Apparently these where made in numerous variants, from about 1912 and this one an unusual variant and therefore rare, albeit in rubbed/used condition.
So the shell indicates a date of 1902 and may have been made for the end of the Chinese Boxer Rebellion, but this ammunition may not have been used until needed in 1912, possibly during the Warlord Era?

The Qing Dynasty, the last of the ruling Chinese dynasties, collapsed in 1911 and finally fell in 1912 with the abdication of the last emperor, Puyi.
China fell into what became known as the WARLORD ERA, when control of much of the country was divided among a group of powerful independent warlords, military leaders with their own private armies.

The anti-monarchist and national unificationist Kuomintang party and its leader Sun Yat-sen sought the help of foreign powers to defeat these warlords, who had seized control of much of Northern China.

This is rare piece of Chinese Military memorabilia, which I have never come across in 40 years of collecting Trench Art and is clearly worth more research.

It measures 5.5” (14cm) high and 4.5” (11.5cm) diameter across the ashtray.

It weighs 495g.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Delivery Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Code: 50263