Items Similar to A Gold And Enamel Mourning Ring For Lord Nelson By John Salter, England, 1806

Enamel and Gold Nelson Memorial Ring, Made for His Aunt, Mrs Thomasine Goulty

Antique Map of England with French Title, 1806

Original 1806 Engraved Map of Asia and Surrounding Regions by John Cary

12 Volumes. Lord Macaulay, History of England.

Beacon Lights of History by John Lord in 5 volumes

A Pair of Davenport Admiral Lord Nelson Terracotta Wine Coolers

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 21

A Gold And Enamel Mourning Ring For Lord Nelson By John Salter, England, 1806

About the Item

An extremely rare ring that commemorates the naval hero, Horatio Nelson, who died in 1805 at the Battle of Trafalgar, fighting against the Napoleonic forces. Dr William Nelson, the admiral's brother, ordered 58 mourning rings for family and friends and every admiral and post-captain who fought at the Battle of Trafalgar . The ring is inscribed on the bezel ‘Trafalgar’; outside the hoop with Nelson’s motto in Latin, ‘Let him who earned it bear the palm [of victory]’, adopted by Nelson from a poem ‘Ad Ventos’ written in 1727 by John Jortin (1698-1770). Inside is the inscription ‘Lost to his country 21 October 1805, aged 47’. The initials N and B stand for Nelson and Bronte. Admiral Nelson was given the title of Duke of Bronte in 1799 by the King of Sicily and in 1801 became a Viscount. The two coronets above the initials refer to these titles. Tthe motto Palmam qui meruit ferat ("let him who has earned it, bear the palm") was added to his coat of arms in 1798 after the Battle of the Nile. Nelson was buried with full honours in St Paul's Cathedral. His cortege consisted of 32 admirals, over a hundred captains, and an escort of 10,000 soldiers. This ring is an example of only fifty-eight that were made by Nelson's jeweller John Salter in 1806. Thirty-one were for Nelson's close family and friends, the rest for pall-bearers and other dignitaries (see The Nelson Dispatch, vol.3 pt.XII, oct.1990). Three similar examples of this ring are held extremely prestigious museums in the capital. One is in the Greenwich National Maritime Museum in London, another in The British Museum in London and another in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, exhibited in the Jewellery Gallery, case 23, no. 8. The ring has a particularly special provenance, arguably like no other mourning ring of Admiral Nelson’s. The ring belonged to the Reverend Alexander John Scott. The Reverend Alexander John Scott (1768-1840) was a British naval chaplain. He was appointed to the flagship H.M.S. Victory in 1803 where he served as private secretary to Lord Nelson. He was with Nelson when when he was shot on the quarter-deck of the Victory at the battle of Trafalgar on the 21st October 1805. Scott attended his dying chief in the cockpit of the flagship, receiving his last wishes. He refused to leave Nelson's body until it was brought back to England and placed in the coffin to lie in the Painted Hall Greenwich. The ring, lock of hair and music book were passed down by the direct descendants of the Reverend Alexander John Scott's family and eventually gifted to the previous owners. The music book was a personal possession of the Reverend which gives watertight provenance of the person who owned the ring. It is not clear exactly what Admiral Nelson’s last words really were although Scott documents Nelson’s last words to be “God and my country“. However, it is also recorded that a statement during his last hours was "Thank God I have done my duty.” Perhaps these two statements uttered in the last moments sound similar when mumbled by a feeble dying man. Nonetheless, it is noteworthy is that Scott remained by Admiral Nelson’s side as he died and his version is probably the most reliable. The lock of hair is reputedly that of Lord Admiral Nelson. Without a DNA test there can be no conclusive proof of such. However, given that Reverend Alexander John Scott was with Nelson from the moment he was shot on the quarter-deck of H.M.S. Victory until the moment he was placed in his coffin, there is no reason to believe it is not a lock of Nelson’s hair. It is difficult to overstate the significance and rarity of Nelson’s mourning rings. With only fifty-eight made, the vast majority of them were given to close family members and only a few were given to close friends. A close friend who receives a morning ring of Nelson’s must have had an important role in his life and it is easy to imagine how close Reverend Scott was to Admiral Nelson seeing as he acted as his private secretary. The fact that three similar examples are in arguably the three most important museums in the UK bears testament to its rarity. Mourning rings were used from the early seventeenth century to the end of the nineteenth century. Testators left money in their wills to have rings with commemorative inscriptions made and distributed to their friends and families. Simple bands enamelled with the name and life dates of the deceased were frequently made, sometimes set with a gemstone or a bezel set with a rock crystal covering a symbol such as a coffin or initials in gold wire. In the later 18th century, rings followed neo-classical designs, their oval bezels often decorated with the same designs as funerary monuments such as urns, broken pillars and mourning figures. Hair from the deceased was incorporated into the designs or set in a compartment at the back of the ring to give each jewel a uniquely personal element. Black or white enamel were favoured though white enamel was often, though not universally used to commemorate children and unmarried adults. CONDITION The overall condition of the ring is excellent. At one point in its lifetime the back of the ring has been cut to fit a larger finger. Considering that Reverend Alexander John Scott was only 37 years old when Lord Nelson died and 72 years old when he passed away himself, it is reasonable to assume that the ring had been cut to fit his own finger. It can be restored but as the item is of historical significance rather than a dress ring in our opinion it is best left as is. The lock of hair is encased by domed glass on both sides, one side of which has cracked. The binding of the music book is in very poor condition, the front cover has come away altogether from the spine. SIZE Ring Height: 1.9 cm // 0.75 in Width: 1.8 cm // 0.71 in Depth: 1.5 cm // 0.59 in Lock of Hair Width: 3.4 cm // 1.34 in Height: 4.2 cm // 1.65 in Depth: 0.3 cm // 0.12 in

Dimensions:
Height: 0.75 in (1.9 cm)Width: 0.71 in (1.8 cm)Depth: 0.6 in (1.5 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Enamel,Gold
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1806
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading. The overall condition of the ring is excellent. At one point in its lifetime the back of the ring has been cut to fit a larger finger. Considering that Reverend Alexander John Scott was only 37 years old when Lord Nelson died and 72 years old when he.
Seller Location:
Royal Tunbridge Wells, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: B10760a1stDibs: LU1348241340072

More From This Seller

View All

19thC Timber Corner Cabinet, Oak From HMS Foudroyant, Lord Nelson's Flagship

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

A 19th Century rare timber corner cabinet, made from the oak salvaged from the Foudroyant, Lord Nelson’s flagship. A lead glazed door with maker's copper plate for 'Goodall, Lamb & H...

Category

Antique 19th Century British Other Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Glass, Oak

19thC Timber Corner Cabinet, Oak From HMS Foudroyant, Lord Nelson's Flagship

$2,346

Austrian Solid Silver-Gilt and Enamel Reliquary by Rudolf Linke, circa 1890

By Rudolf Linke

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Antique 19th century Austrian rare and unusual solid silver-gilt and enamel reliquary, pierced and decorated with multicolored enamels, sides set with carved rock crystal panels and ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Austrian Centerpieces

Materials

Rock Crystal, Enamel, Silver

Austrian Solid Silver-Gilt and Enamel Reliquary by Rudolf Linke, circa 1890

$5,530

Free Shipping

Original Concorde Design Drawing, England, c. 1960

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

An extremely rare and original design drawing of the world renowned and much loved Concorde Aircraft. Concorde memorabilia is becoming more and mo...

Category

20th Century English Drawings

Materials

Paper

Original Concorde Design Drawing, England, c. 1960

$4,146

Free Shipping

Virgin Atlantic Concorde Model, England c.1992

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

A composite model of a Concorde in full Virgin Atlantic livery mounted on a tripod stand, circa 1992. This scaled down aircraft model was presented to one of Virgin's top travel agen...

Category

20th Century British Other Models and Miniatures

Materials

Lacquer

Virgin Atlantic Concorde Model, England c.1992

$1,377

20th Century Large British Airways Concorde Model By Space Models England c.1990

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

A splendid vintage fibreglass and plastic composite model of a Concorde in full British Airways livery mounted on a tripod stand by Space Models, circa 1990. This 1:36 scale aircraft model would have been presented to one of BA's top travel agents to use for marketing activities. Space Models Ltd was located in Feltham, Greater London. The company was founded in 1964 and was recognised as one of the UK's two leading companies in the production of Aerospace, Industrial, Military and Film & TV models and miniatures. The company directors were 'Wag' Evans, Brian Pugsley, Derek Ridley, Keith Baker, Keith Blackburn and originally, John Phillips. Key Model makers were Gary Dickens, David Seymour and Charlie Bryant (originally employed by Gerry Anderson...

Category

20th Century British Other Aviation Objects

Materials

Metal

20th Century Large British Airways Concorde Model By Space Models England c.1990

$5,807

20th Century Enamelled Metal London Street Sign For Harley Street c.1930

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Antique 20th Century enamelled London street sign, crafted for Harley Street, W1 (Central London). This sign features the classic red and bla...

Category

20th Century British Other Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Metal, Enamel

20th Century Enamelled Metal London Street Sign For Harley Street c.1930

$4,007

Antique Early 1800s English Collectible Jewelry

Materials

Gold, Enamel

Enamel and Gold Nelson Memorial Ring, Made for His Aunt, Mrs Thomasine Goulty

$51,913

Antique Map of England with French Title, 1806

Located in Langweer, NL

Antique map titled 'L'Angleterre.' Map of England by Robert de Vaugondy, revised and published by Delamarche in 1806. Source unknown, to be determined. ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Maps

Materials

Paper

Antique Map of England with French Title, 1806

$280 Sale Price

20% Off

Original 1806 Engraved Map of Asia and Surrounding Regions by John Cary

Located in Langweer, NL

The map titled "A New Map of Asia, From the Latest Authorities" was published in 1806. It is a detailed and comprehensive depiction of the continent of Asia, extending from Europe and the Arabian Peninsula in the west to Japan and the Pacific Islands in the east, and from the Arctic regions in the north to parts of New Holland (Australia) and the Indian Ocean in the south. The map is finely engraved, with political boundaries delineated using color to distinguish different empires, kingdoms, and colonial possessions of the time. Key geographical features such as mountain ranges, rivers, and major cities are clearly marked. It also includes significant maritime routes and islands across the Indian and Pacific Oceans, reflecting the global trade and exploration activities of the early 19th century. Notable Features: - Asia is represented with its vast and diverse regions, including the extensive Russian Empire in the north, the Ottoman Empire in the west, the Qing Dynasty's control over China, and the Mughal Empire's influence in India, which is under increasing British control. - India is shown with its numerous princely states, many of which are under British influence or control. - Southeast Asia includes the colonial possessions of European powers, particularly the Dutch East Indies, Spanish Philippines...

Category

Antique Early 1800s Maps

Materials

Paper

Original 1806 Engraved Map of Asia and Surrounding Regions by John Cary

$737 Sale Price

20% Off

12 Volumes. Lord Macaulay, History of England.

Located in New York, NY

12 Volumes. Lord Macaulay, History of England. Albany Edition. Limited to 250 copies of which this is 218. Bound in full red morocco with gilt tooling on the covers and raised band s...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Books

Materials

Leather

12 Volumes. Lord Macaulay, History of England.

$2,750 / set

Beacon Lights of History by John Lord in 5 volumes

Located in San Francisco, CA

A five volume leather bound set titled "Beacon Lights of History" by John Lord published in New York in 1884 by Fords, Howard and Hulbert profiling various historical luminaries from...

Category

Antique 1880s American Books

Materials

Leather, Paper

Beacon Lights of History by John Lord in 5 volumes

$475 / set

A Pair of Davenport Admiral Lord Nelson Terracotta Wine Coolers

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

A Pair of Davenport Admiral Lord Nelson Terracotta Wine Coolers, each relief moulded with a portrait of Admiral Viscount Nelson, in full uniform and medals, between two acorn-bearing oak boughs on one side and a naval panoply on the reverse. The rim comprises tied reeds with twin dolphin-mask handles attached to the sides. English, circa 1815. Two very similar examples from the collection of Horatio, third Lord Nelson, are illustrated in an article titled ‘Nelson Relics and Relic Hunters’ in The Windsor Magazine, Vol. XX. June-November 1904, p.519. (See also page 4.) A thirdwith a paper label stating ‘Exceedingly rare (Lockett)’ was exhibited at the Hanley Museum, item No.1721 (see Britain on the High Seas, from Nelson to Churchill, p.71, Wick Antiques...

Category