An early 1800s Prisoner of War coloured straw work, reel box with bone handles,  and unusually all four bone reels inside and four bone thread apertures. The thread would have been pulled through the apertures when in use. The lid and sides are beautifully decorated with birds & foliage and the colours are still bright on this box. A remarkable survivor.
It measures 16cm l x 7cm w x 5.2cm d.
 
Prisoners of War made numerous items, including straw boxes, bone domino sets &  snuff boxes. They were made to sell in the markets surrounding the prisons. Trade between prisoners and the outside world regularly took place at these markets. Here the prisoners would exchange their goods for money, which they would spend on food, gambling or to save for when they were released.