A rare Napoleonic prisoner-of-war working bone model of a guillotine,, early 19th century

The carved bone five tier platform framework connected by steps with working guillotine and prisoner with two detachable heads, complete with polychromed and articulated figures including an officer, a drummer, four soldiers and executioner, the whole structure raised on four later turned wood feet,
41cm x 25.5cm x 20cm

One particular talented French prisoner of war who specialised in making model guillotines was named Cruchet who initially worked on French fishing vessels before being conscripted into the French Navy. His service came to an abrupt end when his ship, L'Intrepede, was captured in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 and he and the rest of the crew were taken to the large prison near Peterborough, Norman Cross. Cruchet was known for his automata groups such as "Spinning Jennys" as well as the Guillotine which appealed to the Englishman's morbid fascination with the French Revolution and the "Reign of Terror". Cruchet was also a maker of ship models and he reputedly made a fine model - probably with retractable guns - which was purchased by the Prince Regent.

Literature:
Clive Lloyd, The Arts and Crafts of Napoleonic and American Prisoners of War 1756-1816, ACC, Woodbridge, 2007.