Civil War lead "Soldier Art" carving, dug in Virginia

This is an interesting item being offered, it is what is commonly referred to as “Soldier Art”. Men would either melt down bullets or bars of lead to create their “canvas” for sculpturing their subject. It is a section of lead measuring approximately 2” x 1” that has been flattened and carved. Exactly what it is, is in the eye of the beholder, but from dealing with many of these lead carvings, I believe the soldier was carving a phallus, a popular subject which was usually done in jest.

Looking at it in another way, possibly the hole on top could have been an eye and the slice next to it maybe a mouth – only the original “artist” would be able to explain. Carving and whittling was a favorite pastime of the Civil War soldier. In my book “The Civil War Soldier – His Personal Items”, I go into more details on this subject (see pictures). Anyway, a neat piece which was recovered at Dinwiddie, Virginia.

Dinwiddie is a small town in Virginia, the county seat of Dinwiddie County. The town was the site of the Battle of Dinwiddie Court House, the Battle of Five Forks, as well as the Battle of Sutherland's Station during the Appomattox Campaign. On the back side in ink was marked with “Dinwiddie”, but the ink has bled. It remains in solid condition with a beautifully aged patina to the lead and comes in a glass top display case.