Civil War Trench Art?

[callicles]

I found this at an American Civil War campsite at Vicksburg (private property). When I found it, I assumed maybe it was a homemade ashtray or something. It is pure lead. Nonetheless, it could be something modern and I know the folks here would know or have a good idea of what it might be. Thanks!

 

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[bradyboy]

why do you think it would be trench art
trench art is usually decorative in some fashion
I would be look at it as a functioning item
Also, if its lead, lead was a very much needed and coveted , much needed to make bullets, doubt lead would be wasted on trench art
Brady

 

[villagenut]

Lead was actually a preferred trench art material.poker chips,chess pieces,, and lots of other doodads. Don't know if yours is something made by a CW soldier or not but lead was their easily carveable material.

 

[fyrffytr1]

It looks like a lid to something.

 

[callicles]

why do you think it would be trench art
trench art is usually decorative in some fashion
I would be look at it as a functioning item
Also, if its lead, lead was a very much needed and coveted , much needed to make bullets, doubt lead would be wasted on trench art
Brady

It was found in a Federal Camp, and I highly suspect the Unionists had more lead than they or the Confederates could shake a stick at. The object looks rather crudely made, at least to me. I thought maybe a bored soldier might have crafted some sort of homemade mold to create it, thus a kind of trench art. But as has been suggested, it might be a lid of some sort. So many Civil War artifacts came from the area I thought it might be related to that particular conflict.

 

[Kurios1]

Just judging by the patina on the item I would say it has been resting in the dirt a long while. As to what it is that may remain your own personal mystery for a lifetime. A crudely designed lid? Perhaps. It must weigh a considerable amount and the wind probably wouldn't blow that lid off very easily.

 

[relic nut]

Here's a thought. Maybe they were molding bullets and got interrupted and this is what was left in the container used to melt the lead.

HH, RN

 

[GopherDaGold]

Right away the patina suggests civil war period but I see what appears to be pinholes in the center. Rather than trench art, a utilitarian object meant to hold something in place.

 

[DCMatt]

I agree with others that the item likely had a specific and practical use.


Maybe part of a camp made artillery tompion? I just guessing...

 

[vhs07]

Spittoon weight?

 

[Ripcon]

I was with Callicles when he found this. This camp was used not only during the campaign for Vicksburg but also by Union occupation troops during the duration of the war. They even made bricks at this camp site to help rebuild structures in the city. TONS of relics have been found here over the years. LOTS of bored soldiers....carved items of all descriptions. I love to see what other people think as well. Great find Callicles.