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THIS OBJECT IS PART OF THE PROJECT 'A HISTORY OF CORNWALL IN 100 OBJECTS'.

LAWRENCE HOUSE MUSEUM, LAUNCESTON. The Napoleonic wars had a great impact on Cornwall. Carved bone ship models like this one were made by French prisoners of war to keep them occupied during their imprisonment. With a generous weekly meat ration of 1-2 lbs, there was plenty of animal bone to work with. French prisoners often included skilled craftsmen like watchmakers and furniture makers. Finished models were sold to the public for up to £40 each. Some other examples have bone spars and rigging.

French Officers were held at Lawrence House, now the museum, and were allowed out on parole to stroll the streets of Launceston and other Cornish towns. Ten of them married Launceston girls in the period 1808-17. Henri de Cort, an amateur artist whose views of Launceston survive, was among the French officers billeted at Lawrence House or nearby in what was really an open prison.

Photo: Bernie Pettersen