This very fine straw work casket was made in England by Napoleonic prisoners of war. The carcass box is made from deal, probably taken from an old packing case. A covering of thick brown paper was glued to the box to prepare an even surface for the marquetry work. Varnished straws were then pasted on to a thin paper backing which was in turn glued on to the box. The high quality straw marquetry on the inside of the casket which depicts Forde Abbey in Dorset was taken from a drawing by Prideaux. It is unsigned.