Dutch Boer War Artifact Box

A very rare small box as made by Boer War prisoners held on St.Helena during 1902. Made from presumably woods indigenous to the locality in a primitive but competent way using few tools, it has the date plus the initials KGV inscribed to the lid. The handle is carved out of bone in a common shape with similar boxes. With knocks and scars as to be expected. The lid has shrunk "back to front" so is prone to popping open. The lock is probably later or a replacement but has a key and works although the keep has a broken lug. Some original nails or tacks replaced with screws. The inside of the base has remnants of a paper dated 1899. Please see below for additional information. "The letters K.G.V. are an abbreviation of the Dutch "krijgsgevangene", or prisoner-of-war. "During the period 1900 to 1902 a great number of Boer prisoners of war were shipped to overseas camps. ... In April 1900 the first POW camp was established on the island of St. Helena at Deadwood. Later more camps were established on St. Helena at Deadwood, Camp No. 2, Broadbottom, Fort High Knoll and Jamestown. ... To earn more pocket money and to supplement their diet or to buy tobacco, or simply to relieve their boredom, the prisoners turned to making curios, carving toys and many different kinds of artifacts. As tools were scarce the pocket knives of the Pows became the most commonly used tool. For material they used wood, bone, ivory, stone, horn and textiles." - Pieter Oosthuizen: Boer War Memorabilia.