This is a fine example of a French prisoner-of-war bone gaming piece, dating from the late 18th to early 19th century. These intricate objects were crafted by French prisoners during the Napoleonic Wars, often held in British prison hulks or depots. They used cattle and other bones from their rations to create decorative and practical items, both to pass the time and to trade or sell for food or small luxuries.
Cylindrical form, approx. 13.5 cm in length.
Made of bone, ornately pierced with spiral latticework and geometric patterns. Finely threaded screw-top lid, carved in a matching decorative style. Contents: Assortment of approximately 33 bone gaming sticks or tokens, each hand-carved and painted. Some shaped as soldiers, muskets, pikes, trumpets, and other musical instruments. Several pieces are numbered, suggesting use in a game or form of scoring.
The exact rules or game they pertain to are now unknown. Historical Significance: These pieces are categorized as “prisoner-of-war (POW) craft”, a well-documented form of artistic expression from this period. The workmanship reflects not only the skill but also the immense amount of time and patience the prisoners invested. Items like this were often sold at local markets or to guards, and some found their way into collections across Europe. In summary, this is a rare and intricate POW gaming set, likely unique, with high ethnographic and historical interest. Its condition, decoration, and completeness all enhance its value.
