Bone letter knife
Bone letter knife
6343
An early 19th century Napoleonic prisoner of war carved bone letter opener, inscribed and dated 1820.
Napoleonic prisoner of war bone carvings are intricate artworks created by captured soldiers during the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815). These prisoners, often French and held in British camps, used bones from meals, like beef or mutton, to craft small, detailed sculptures, ships, and decorative items. The carvings provided both a creative outlet and a means of income, as they were sometimes sold or traded. These works showcase remarkable craftsmanship, reflecting both ingenuity and resilience under harsh conditions.
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. These prisoners, often French and held in British camps, used bones from meals, like beef or mutton, to craft small, detailed sculptures, ships, and decorative items. The carvings provided both a creative outlet and a means of income, as they were sometimes sold or traded. These works showcase remarkable craftsmanship, reflecting both ingenuity and resilience under harsh conditions.){kind=link}