Forte Antiques York

Description

French Napoleonic Prisoner-of-War straw-work sewing/work box, early 19th century
Hand crafted in prisoner of war camps between 1793 and 1815 by a captive French artisan using coloured pieces of straw, paper and scraps of wood.
The box is made of wood with applied parquetry decoration of coloured straw.
This hinged lid (decorated with a townscape/castle?) lifts to reveal an inset mirror, and three inner-sections: two rounded side compartments with pincushions to the top and lift out ‘secret’ trays underneath, as well as a large central compartment with a lid decorated with a town building (a prison?).
The box (including hinges) is structurally sound and in good antique condition with signs of use in keeping with age. The straw work is fragile with the usual small losses, mainly to the left side to the box and some losses to the lid. Pincushions and an old mirror show some wear. Small damage to one corner of the wooden bottom.
Measures: 18.5 cm x 12 cm x 6.5 cm

Listed items are usually available to view at the Red House Antiques Centre in York.
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