A Rare Napoleonic Prisoner of War Straw Work Box c.1810 - Exceptional Colours

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A Rare Napoleonic Prisoner of War Straw Work Box c.1810 - Exceptional Colours:
$281.04

Here we have a lovely early 19th century straw work box. Most likely made by a French prisoner of war during the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th century. They often took the straw from their bedding and stained them various colours before intricately attaching them to wooden carcasses which were then sold at markets for them to earn a little money. This box is most likely a vanity box as it has a mirror set into the lid but would have had any number of uses. The pattern of the straw is classic early 19th century and the mirror shows the correct loss of silvering for a piecearound200 years old. A real collectors piece.

Measurements (approx); it measures 8.75” (222mm) wide x 4.5\" (114mm) deep x 2.5\" (64mm) tall

Condition: As you can see from the pictures the lid is totally detached from the base, this could be fixed by a skilled restorer but I prefer to leave my items totally original and untouched. There is wear to the straw work on the edges of the box but this is to be expected and I would be surprised if there wasn\'t any. I think the 2 horizontal compartments may have originally had lids as there are slight recesses where one would have sat but looks fine without. All these negatives pale in comparison to the major plus which is the colour of the straw. I have seen lots of straw work and I have never seen a piece so lightly faded. The exterior is good but the interior is exceptional, the colours are still as vibrant as the day it was made.

All in all this is a great antique box with superb history. The colours are the best I have ever seen and the broken hinges can be fixed or forgiven. Pieces like this do not come up for sale that often so grab it now before it\'s gone.

Please be aware that although postage is free within the UK preference will be given to offers from people who intend to collect.

The pictures really do not do this item justice.

Please don\'t be scared to make an offer all prices are somewhat negotiable, getting your offers in early avoids disappointment!

Please view my other items as I have a good variety of very unusual and rare pieces for sale.

If no international postage is offered and you would like it sent anywhere in the world please contact me for a quote.

Buyer collection is always possible (5 mins from J8 of the M40).

IF YOU NEED ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR PICTURES PLEASE ASK.

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International buyers! Please note should the final price of this item be over £250 and your country not be able to accept International Tracked and Signed (most notably China, Italy and Norway) as a method of delivery then only the Global Priority (supplied upon request) method will be available. In that case no free delivery is available. Please check with Royal Mail or myself if you are unsure.

All items will be sent by Recoded/Special Delivery and I will no accept any liability for any item not being delivered due to no signature being available. The Post Office insures all parcels up to £50 as a courtesy on all services (except Global Economy). Items selling for over £50 will only be sent via Special Delivery/Parcelforce (Inland) and International Signed for (or Airsure when available or Parcelforce equivalent). I always obtain proof of posting. All items will be packed to the highest standard using recycled materials. 1 day dispatch is only available on items paid within 24 hours of the sales end, we post on Mondays and Tuesdays and any item paid for after the 24 hour period will be dispatched at our convenience. Any items arriving not as described (not including broken or lost) will be eligible for a refund of the item price and initial postage cost only, under no circumstances will return postage be refunded. Please make sure any returned parcel is sent via a signed for service as I cannot be held responsible for any return parcel being lost. I will never refund postage for any cases that I consider to be “buyers remorse”. Anyone returning an item will have to have a legitimate grievance where it is clear I have misrepresented an item and not a case of where an item was assumed to be something it is not. I am always contactable if you need any questions about the item answering. Anyone damaging an item to get a refund or sending me back a different item to try and cheat the system will be dealt with in the strongest way possible. The title will contain the key words for an item and not an accurate description of an item, make sure you read the description in full before offerding. I reserve the right to cancel any sale at any time while it is still live regardless of price, offers or interest. In some cases your parcel will be sent via a different service than stated due to size and weight restrictions, this will in no way negatively affect any issues that may arise from a postage claim. I will never charge you extra than the quoted price for an item being sent but equally you will never be entitled to a refund if postage is less than quoted no matter how large the difference. All items are from a pet owning and smoking home. Please note it is only the described item included in the listings, other items are for display purposes only. Also please note that any rating I give the item as for condition is my own personal opinion and may differ from how you rate the item. if you are in any doubt please don\'t hesitate to contact me. All my items are vintage or antique and as such are used, they will show signs of wear that would be expected on used items of age, any major imperfection will be stated in the listing but normal wear will not be, please ask if unsure. With any item sold by myself it is down to the buyer to pay any customs charges that should arise from importing the piece. Equally no liability can be assumed by the seller for any decision of said customs officers to refuse entry or destroy the item. It is up to the buyer to check that such an item iseligiblefor import. By offerding on this item you are agreeing to all the terms and conditions set out above.