.jpg?maxwidth=3840)
Lot 403
An important early 19th century gold and enamel mourning-ring, for Vice Admiral 1st. Viscount Lord Horatio Nelson, KB, 1st Duke of Bronte (1758-1805)
Closed9 October 2012
Price Realised
GBP 10,000
More Information
An important early 19th century gold and enamel mourning-ring, for Vice Admiral 1st. Viscount Lord Horatio Nelson, KB, 1st Duke of Bronte (1758-1805)
The broad oval black enamel bezel with viscount's coronet over the letter N, ducal coronet over the letter B for Brönte and the legend 'TRAFALGAR' the bezel reverse with the inscription, Lost to his Country 21 Octr. 1805 Aged 47, the outside of the hoop engraved with the motto 'Palman Qui Meriut Ferat', finger size U
The broad oval black enamel bezel with viscount's coronet over the letter N, ducal coronet over the letter B for Brönte and the legend 'TRAFALGAR' the bezel reverse with the inscription, Lost to his Country 21 Octr. 1805 Aged 47, the outside of the hoop engraved with the motto 'Palman Qui Meriut Ferat', finger size U
An important early 19th century gold and enamel mourning-ring, for Vice Admiral 1st. Viscount Lord Horatio Nelson, KB, 1st Duke of Bronte (1758-1805)
The broad oval black enamel bezel with viscount's coronet over the letter N, ducal coronet over the letter B for Brönte and the legend 'TRAFALGAR' the bezel reverse with the inscription, Lost to his Country 21 Octr. 1805 Aged 47, the outside of the hoop engraved with the motto 'Palman Qui Meriut Ferat', finger size U
The broad oval black enamel bezel with viscount's coronet over the letter N, ducal coronet over the letter B for Brönte and the legend 'TRAFALGAR' the bezel reverse with the inscription, Lost to his Country 21 Octr. 1805 Aged 47, the outside of the hoop engraved with the motto 'Palman Qui Meriut Ferat', finger size U
Cf. C. Oman, British Rings 800-1914, New Jersey, 1973, pl. 90(c) and O.M. Dalton, Catalogue of the finger rings, Early Christian, Byzantine, Teutonic, Medieval and Later bequeathed by Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks, Oxford, 1912 no. 1441. and R. Morris et al, Nelson An Illustrated History National Maritime Museum pub. London 1995, p.149,
The Battle of Trafalgar took place off the coast of Spain's Cape Trafalgar Peninsula and commenced on 21st October, 1805. With a fleet of 27 ships of the line Nelson led the attack on the combined French and Spanish fleet. At around 12 noon Nelson's ship H.M.S. Victory broke the French line, engaging the French ship Redoubtable, and immediately became entangled leaving the two ships almost locked together. At approximately 1.15pm the easily recognisable figure of Nelson was targeted by a French sharpshooter who had taken position in the upper rigging of the Redoubtable. Nelson received a musket ball in the left shoulder which passed through his chest and lodged in the base of his spine. He was carried below to the orlop deck, his clothing was removed and he was covered with a sheet. The surgeon Dr Scott, then attended to the wounds discovering Nelson's back to be broken and blood entering the lungs. At approximately 4.30pm as the battle was reaching the latter stages Nelson died.
This ring is an example of 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). A few were produced with hinged locket bezels. The Latin motto which translates as 'Let him who has won it bear the palm' was adopted by Nelson from a poem 'Ad Ventos' written in 1727 by John Jortin (1698-1770). Two similar examples of this ring are held in the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, and one in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, exhibited in the Jewellery Gallery, case 23, no. 8
A further selection of ancient Egyptian and Roman rings from "Ring Collection, Jurgen Abeler, Wuppertal" will be offered in the Antiquities sale, London, on 26th October
This ring is an example of 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). A few were produced with hinged locket bezels. The Latin motto which translates as 'Let him who has won it bear the palm' was adopted by Nelson from a poem 'Ad Ventos' written in 1727 by John Jortin (1698-1770). Two similar examples of this ring are held in the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, and one in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, exhibited in the Jewellery Gallery, case 23, no. 8
A further selection of ancient Egyptian and Roman rings from "Ring Collection, Jurgen Abeler, Wuppertal" will be offered in the Antiquities sale, London, on 26th October