c1800 Napoleonic Prisoner of War Bone Model Ship

An absolutely stunning looking c1800 French Napoleonic Prisoner of War bone built model of a three masted sailing ship which is mounted on an oval bone and ebony veneered base.
Given the size and quality of the ship, it was most likely made by a French prisoner in Dartmoor Prison, near Plymouth, England. The extremely detailed ship is made entirely out of bone, the material that was available to the prisoners, from left overs of their diet. The hull is made up of bone pieces imitating the plank structure and held together by tiny nails. However, only prisoners that had the know-how to make quality models were put to work in workshops in order to sell the finished items to British collectors, thus improving the conditions of the prisoners’ captivity. Sometimes the rigging was made from the thread off the prisoner’s uniform, but in this case proper cord and chain has been used. The ship has been mounted in a modernish display case, to protect it. The ship is not named nor has any armament perhaps harking to more peaceful times. Condition of the ship is extremely good.
A fine piece of Napoleonic Wars history.
Size ship: 60 x 16 x 49 cm (23 ½ x 6 ¼ x 10 5/8 inches)
Size cabinet: 76.5 x 30.5 x 59 cm (30 1/8 x 12 x 8 ¼ x 23 ¼ inches)
Weight: 12.8 Kg