A 19th century Folk art oak box

A 19th century Folk art oak box, possibly relating to the Hartlepool monkey legend, the hinged lid carved with oak leaves and acorns, and with a monkey in a naval style uniform flanked by two other monkeys, the conforming front with a monkey and two dogs, the left side with a portrait of an old hag, the right side with leaves, 19.5cm high, 33.5cm wide.

During the Napoleonic Wars there was a fear of a French invasion of Britain and much public concern about the possibility of French infiltrators and spies. On one occasion a French vessel was wrecked off the Hartlepool coast. The fishermen of Hartlepool fearing an invasion kept a close watch on the French vessel as it struggled against the storm. Among the wreckage lay one wet and sorrowful looking survivor, the ship's pet monkey dressed to amuse in a military style uniform. The fishermen apparently questioned the monkey and held a beach-based trial. Unfamiliar with what a Frenchman looked like they came to the conclusion that this monkey was a French spy and should be sentenced to death. The unfortunate creature was to die by hanging, with the mast of a fishing boat (a coble) providing a convenient gallows.