A LATE 18TH CENTURY GOLD FOB SEAL BEARING THE ARMS OF OF HORATIO LORD NELSON

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The Battle of Trafalgar, 21st October, 1805 The Battle of Trafalgar was arguably the most decisive victory in the history of war at sea. Undaunted by the fact that he had only twenty-seven ships-of-the-line compared to the thirty-three in the combined French and Spanish fleets, Nelson brought the enemy to action on 21st October 1805 in a ferocious battle lasting less than three hours. Using a brilliant strategy to split the enemy line-of-battle in two places, their fleet was shattered by the loss or capture of eighteen of its capital ships and over 6,000 men were killed or wounded. The magnitude of the victory was overshadowed by the death of Nelson himself but French and Spanish seapower was totally destroyed, the former taking many years to reassert itself and the latter never recovering. THE PROPERTY OF DIANA, COUNTESS NELSON

Details

A LATE 18^TH CENTURY GOLD FOB SEAL BEARING THE ARMS OF OF HORATIO LORD NELSON
the matrix engraved with Nelson's two crests: a naval crown surmounted by his Chelengk, and the stern of a Spanish Man-of-War surmounted by his motto Faith and Works, the chased ornate gold mount with suspension loop (a little worn) -- 7/8in. (2.2cm.) high
See illustration

Provenance

Viscount Nelson and thence by descent

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

Nelson used a variety of seals. This design, simple and with no coronet of rank, suggests that it predates one with a full achievement of arms and a baron's coronet [cf Nelson, An illustrated History, National Maritime Museum] and a more flamboyant one with a full achievement of arms and a Viscount's coronet such as sold in these rooms, 22^nd April, 1997, for £19,550.

The diamond-set Plume of Triumph (Chelengk) was presented to Nelson by the Grand Seignor of Turkey to mark his victory at the battle of the Nile in 1798; The stern of the Spanish Man-of-War is usually named San Joseph, being one of the line of Battle Ships taken in the engagement with the Spanish Fleet off Cape St. Vincent, and on board of which Nelson received their swords in surrender. It was Nelson's daring in taking the San Josef at the battle of St. Vincent which not only ensured victory but brought Nelson's name before the British public for the first time.

Christie's is grateful to Ron Fiske for his invaluable help in cataloguing this lot.

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