This is an extremely fine Straw-Work box or case, made by Napoleonic French Prisoners of War, & dating to circa 1800.

Straw-Work gained popularity in the UK during the late 18th / 19th century, after it was brought to the attention of the wider British public by the French & Dutch prisoners-of-war from the French Revolutionary & Napoleonic Wars, who were held in British prisons until around 1815.

The box, which pulls open in the centre, has been intricately worked, using a combination of extremely fine & detailed geometric mosaic work to the body, very fine stringing to the centre, & lozenge shaped marquetry panels to the end caps.

The interior of the box, not having been exposed to light, shows the bright & vivid gold, purple, & ruby colours of the straw, & gives an idea of how stunning this box would have looked when it was made around 210 years ago.

Condition is absolutley fantastic given the age & fragility of the case, the exterior colours have faded over time, there are some small pieces of stringing missing from the centre, & a slight nick to the top of the interior lip - please see magnified photos.

Measurements are approx 11cm in length, 5.8cm in width, & 3cm in depth

All in all, an extremely fine straw-work case, & very scarce, particularly in this condition.