From 1797 to 1814, French prisoners were housed at Norman Cross, near Peterborough, England. To relieve boredom and improve their quality of life, they were allowed to produce items from the materials they had at hand and sell them in a market adjacent to the prison, established for that purpose. Items of every description, from simple book marks to large scale model battleships were produced. Owing to the available of straw, items made from it were particularly popular. Few made of straw only (as opposed to straw marquetry) have survived. 2 1/8" length, the interior of stout broad weave with exterior layer of finest split straw in basket weave incorporating blue and purple diagonals. This is a miniature of a split elm household basket at about 1/10 scale. Very finely made and in perfect preservation. Probably used as a ring box.