This does indeed sound like traditional 'straw work', which is a technique
usually used to decorate the surfaces of small boxes and similar items.
Dating back to at least the 17th century, it achieved a peak in popularity
in England during the first two decades of the 19th century, many examples
supposedly having been made by French prisoners of war during the
Napoleonic Wars. There has been a substantial revival of this technique
during the late 20th century, and recent examples together with older
examples currently offered for sale can be found on the web. However, the
term 'straw work' is also used for some types of 3-dimensional straw
decorative items. Straw board is a structural material, with no
decorative function.
See e.g.
http://www.hygra.com/material.htm#strhttp://www.hygra.com/strawcaddy.htmhttp://www.antiques-internet.com/colorado/eronjohnsonantiques/dynapage/IP1
633.htm
Nigel Seeley.
----- Original Message -----
From: Four Oaks Farm <FOFarm@worldnet.att.net>
To: Multiple recipients of list <exlibris@library.berkeley.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2003 5:15 PM
Subject: Query#8: Straw binding
In a copy of THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER London 1806. Mrs. Piozzi
acknowledges receipt (1811): "Given by Dear Lady Kirkwall & made by her
own Hand". The made by her own hand most likely refers to the attractive
binding, an inlay (marquetry) using what does appear to be pieces of
straw. Is there a reference to, or a study of this kind of ?straw- work?
Many thanks
Gabriel Austin
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