Items Similar to Admiral Lord Nelson's Tortoiseshell Snuff Box with Certificate of Authenticity
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7
Admiral Lord Nelson's Tortoiseshell Snuff Box with Certificate of Authenticity
About the Item
- A hugely rare and intimate piece of British history: Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson's snuff box
- Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson (1758–1805) is one of the most celebrated figures in British history, best remembered for his heroic efforts during the Napoleonic wars.
Nelson's career as a naval officer saw him lead the British fleet to several victories, during which he suffered injuries, including the loss of his right arm and the sight in his right eye.
His most famous victory came in October 1805 at the Battle of Trafalgar, in which the Royal Navy decimated the combined fleets of the French and Spanish navies.
Prior to the battle, Nelson sent out the famous message "England expects that every man will do his duty". Tragically, he was shot by a French sniper and died on board his ship the HMS Victory mid battle.
His body was returned to England where he was granted a state funeral, and numerous monuments were erected in his honor, including Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, London.
This tortoiseshell composition snuff box was originally owned by Lord Nelson, and features a miniature watercolor scene of the Amalfi coast on the top.
The box was gifted by Nelson to his personal secretary George Unwin, during a dinner party in Sicily in late 1798 or early 1799 which was also attended by Nelson's mistress, Emma, Lady Hamilton.
Nelson had first met Hamilton in 1793 and the pair were reunited in 1798 following the Battle of the Nile.
Having been severely injured, Nelson recuperated in Naples, during which time he was nursed back to health by Lady Emma and her elderly husband, Sir William Hamilton.
It was during this period that Nelson and Hamilton began their famous love affair, which lasted until Nelson's death at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
It seems highly possible that Nelson gave this gift to Unwin as a show of generosity, in an attempt to impress his mistress over dinner.
The snuff box is offered along with a manuscript letter by Unwin's son, George, which reads in full:
"My Father had either lost his own snuff box on going ashore or in some shop in Palermo and upon mentioning the circumstances at Lady Hamilton’s table where Lord Nelson was one of the party his Lordship handed over to him this identical box and desired him to keep it until he could get a better one."
The box was later passed down to Unwin's own son George, then via his wife Anne Oxenham to her brother Rev. William Oxenham, and by descent through the family for several generations.
A beautiful and rare item from one of Britain’s most famous heroes, and a small piece connected to one of history's greatest love affairs.
Free global delivery. 28-day returns. “Certificate of Authenticity” and our lifetime moneyback guarantee of authenticity included.
- Dimensions:Height: 1 in (2.54 cm)Diameter: 3 in (7.62 cm)
- Style:Rococo (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1798
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Jersey, GB
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 2009
1stDibs seller since 2018
48 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 3 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Jersey, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson Handwritten Signed NoteLocated in Jersey, GBA handwritten note by Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson, dated July 7 1801. Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson (1758-1805) was a British naval officer famous for his...Category
Antique Early 1800s Historical Memorabilia
MaterialsPaper
- Elvis Presley's Jockstrap with Certificate of AuthenticityLocated in Jersey, GBA rhinestone jockstrap bearing Elvis Presley’s initials (“EP”). Once housed in the Elvis Presley Museum collection in Memphis, curated by Elvis' long tim...Category
Vintage 1970s Historical Memorabilia
MaterialsFabric
- Bobby Charlton's Childhood Bible with Certificate of AuthenticityLocated in Jersey, GBBearing the address of his childhood home, 114 Beatrice Street, Ashington in Northumberland, where his family lived for many years. Inscribed inside the front and back covers, and...Category
20th Century Historical Memorabilia
MaterialsPaper
- Pete Conrad Signed Photograph with Certificate of AuthenticityLocated in Jersey, GBA signed photograph of Apollo 12 astronaut Pete Conrad, the third man on the moon Charles "Pete" Conrad Jr. (1930 – 1999) was an American aviator an...Category
Vintage 1960s Aviation Objects
MaterialsPaper
- Spirit of St Louis Collection with Certificate of AuthenticityLocated in Jersey, GBAn extraordinary piece of aviation history. The Spirit of St Louis Collection features: Original parts of the plane from Charles Lindbergh's hist...Category
20th Century Historical Memorabilia
MaterialsBoxwood
- Marilyn Monroe lock of hair with Certificate of AuthenticityLocated in Jersey, GBMarilyn Monroe (1926-1962) needs little introduction. An actress, model and entertainer, she is perhaps the most recognisable of all screen icons. As such, her memorabilia is highly sought after, and continues to be widely collected across the world. History of the lock of hair...Category
Vintage 1960s Historical Memorabilia
MaterialsOther
You May Also Like
- Antique Snuff Box of a Head of a BoyLocated in Baltimore, MDThe charming boy looks at you with a sweet smile, his container full of snuff to make you happy. He is carved of fruitwood, the lid lined with tortoise shell.Category
Antique 19th Century British Decorative Boxes
MaterialsMahogany, Tortoise Shell
- 19th Century Restauration Snuff Box with MicromosaicLocated in Paris, FRSmall rectangular Restauration snuff box crafted in gold. The hinged lid is decorated with an oval micromosaic representing St. Peter's Square in Rome. Micromosaic is set in a gold s...Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Charles X Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsGold
- Antique Five Faces Snuff BoxLocated in Baltimore, MDUnique Georgian snuff box depicting five faces and inspired by Japanese netsuke designs. Carved from a tree root, it is fitted with a lidded metal compartment...Category
Antique 19th Century British Decorative Boxes
MaterialsBase Metal
- Swiss Gold Musical Snuff BoxLocated in New Orleans, LAThis special and important Swiss gold music box is chased and engraved with a set of musical instruments surrounded by elaborate swirls of ornate foliage. Embossed with a delightful braided gold design, the two-compartment box features an exquisite oval agate key, which opens a recessed lock in the base of the box. Such a box would have been a prized possession and would have been able to fit neatly into a gentleman’s waistcoat pocket. Ingenious miniature portable devices, musical snuff boxes...Category
Antique 19th Century Swiss Other Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
MaterialsGold
- 18th Century Snuff Box With Secret Erotic MotiveLocated in Copenhagen, KVery funny little snuff box with a text about Etimologie; the true learning or real learning, on the lids outside and a hidden erotic motive on the inside of the lid.Category
Antique Late 18th Century French Empire Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsWood, Paper
- Antique Austrian Silver Table Snuff BoxLocated in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon TyneAn exceptional, fine and impressive antique Austrian silver table snuff box; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection. This excep...Category
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
MaterialsSterling Silver
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
A Dinner Party
Lord Browns
Sawing Box
Antique War Memorabilia
Nelson Pair
18th Century Lead
18th Century Composition
Pair Of George Nelson
George Nelson Pair
George Nelson Rare
War Shell
Table Box 18th
Lady And Man
Mid Century Tortoiseshell
Antique Admiral
Antique Nelson
Antique Furniture Hamilton Furniture
Antique Furniture Hamilton