A pair of George III silver salt cellars Daniel Pontifex, London, 1801 and a pair of salt spoons, Eley & Fearn, London, 1800

each salt boat shaped with gadrooned borders, on oblong plinth, harp shaped handles, engraved on one side with on a naval crown the chelengk cresk or plume of triumph as a crest of honorable augmentation as presented to Horatio, Viscount Nelson by Sultan Selim III and on the other with the Nelson family crest on a wreath upon waves of the sea the stern of a Spanish man-of-war both below a viscount's coronet, gilt interiors, each Old English Thread pattern salt spoon similarly engraved, gilt bowls 

By descent from Horatio, Viscount Nelson and Duke of Bronte through his sister, Susanna, wife of Thomas Bolton, and their son, Captain Sir William Bolton whose daughter Ellen Catherine married Dr Horatio Girdlestone. The latter's son, Thomas Bolton Girdlestone married Sophia Hibbs and by her had a daughter, Gertrude Bell who married Harry Leith Herbert, parents of Lawrence S.L. Herbert, the present owner.

Two small dents to one body, good clear marks, engraving pretty crisp, good colour, spoons also in relatively good condition with clear engraving
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

For a related lot by the same makers see sale Trafalgar Nelson and the Napoleonic Wars including the Matcham Collection, Sotheby's, London 5 October 2005, lot 23.