Napoleonic Prisoner of War Straw Work Box - Portoferraio Elba c.1810

This charming Napoleonic Prisoner of War straw jewellery box which dates from c1810 would have been lovingly made by a prisoner held captive during the Napoleonic wars. The lid of this antique box has a fabulous and intricate straw work design of Portoferraio, Elba in Tuscany, Italy and is hand carved with small lettering "Portoferraio". Elba was part of Italy until the late 18th century, when it came into contention with France, Great Britain and Austria. The 1802 Treaty of Amiens transferred the town to France and in 1814 it was handed over to Napoleon Bonaparte, as the seat of his first exile. This hinged lid lifts by using the carved mutton bone handle to reveal a large mirror, a lift out tray, inner compartments, hidden drawers and the underside of the box has four wood feet. This antique wooden box has been painstakingly decorated with different coloured straw to the outer with some of it being dyed to create the beautiful design and lined to the inside. This unique 19th century Napoleonic Prisoner of War box would make a very nice collector's piece. Material: Wood. Straw. Mutton Bone. Metal. Please note that only the box is included and any other items in the pictures are for display only.