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Lot Essay
The Battle of the Nile was one of the greatest Naval victories for the British. It took place at Aboukir Bay on the first of August 1798 between the French and English fleets. This proved a turning point for the British campaign, culminating in the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815.
It is not known exactly by whom the present bottle-cooler was commissioned, however, Nelson's prize agent and trusted adviser Alexander Davison is known to have commissioned a small group of mostly teawares from the Derby factory after the Nile victory. It is possible that this cooler was ordered by Davison or proposed by the factory, to be presented to Nelson.
A pair of Derby coolers, one featuring the same painted panel, was sold The Alexander Davison Collection, Sotheby's, London, 21st October 2002, lot 19.
For a coffee-can with similar decoration, see Anthony Hoyte The Charles Norman Collection of 18th Century Porcelain (Abingdon, 1996) p. 62.
Another coffee-can was sold Christie's, London, 20 June 1990, lot 190, illustrated in the booklet Derby Porcelain Sweetmeats and Surprises, published by Peter Jackson Antiques (1991) pp. 16-17, Item 11/12.
An identical can is in the National Maritime Museum, No. AAA4737, along with a chocolate cup, cover and stand, No. AAA4738.
It is not known exactly by whom the present bottle-cooler was commissioned, however, Nelson's prize agent and trusted adviser Alexander Davison is known to have commissioned a small group of mostly teawares from the Derby factory after the Nile victory. It is possible that this cooler was ordered by Davison or proposed by the factory, to be presented to Nelson.
A pair of Derby coolers, one featuring the same painted panel, was sold The Alexander Davison Collection, Sotheby's, London, 21st October 2002, lot 19.
For a coffee-can with similar decoration, see Anthony Hoyte The Charles Norman Collection of 18th Century Porcelain (Abingdon, 1996) p. 62.
Another coffee-can was sold Christie's, London, 20 June 1990, lot 190, illustrated in the booklet Derby Porcelain Sweetmeats and Surprises, published by Peter Jackson Antiques (1991) pp. 16-17, Item 11/12.
An identical can is in the National Maritime Museum, No. AAA4737, along with a chocolate cup, cover and stand, No. AAA4738.