Decorated German 75 mm shellcase : Capture of Jerusalem 17 December 1917

Used 1916 75 mm Krupp manufactured shellcase, hand-incised with three decorated frieze bands which encompass the shellcase. The upper end has been flared. A narrow central band carries a repeating pattern of wheels, mythological birds and the inscription 'JERUSALEM / 17 DECEMBER / 1917'. The higher upper and lower bands bear depictions of everyday Egyptian life, with kings receiving tribute, men feeding camels, the Sphinx, the Pyramids and various animal-headed gods. Stylistically there is no relation to Jerusalem, nor any indication of artist.

The base of the shell is impressed 'PATRONENFABRIK KARLSRUHE /1916 / 21 / FRIED KRUPP AG 12' accompanied by a pair of flaming bomb symbols. The brownish residue inside the case suggests it has been used a a flower vase in the past.

The specific history of this item is unknown.

The Allies formally entered Jerusalem on 11 December 1917. A contingent from the 10th Light Horse Regiment was among them. Members of the regiment are known to have acquired souvenirs in the city like this one, which they had engraved with the date of the entry. The significance of the date on this example, 17 December, is unknown; it may relate to the date of the acquisition of the souvenir itself.