A near pair of pine and metal-mounted inkstands, together with a brass-bound pine casket mid 19th century

one inkstand with a capstan engraved "HMS Shannon June 13th 1813", the pine base with a pair of cut-glass inkwells, together with crossed-anchor mount and plaques engraved with "U.S. Chesapeake", the other inkstand with a circular brass mount engraved "This shot and this wood were taken from the Chesapeake, captured by H.M.S. Shannon, June 1st 1813", and containing an iron shot ball, the pine base with a pair of Sheffield-plate mounted glass inkwells and twin brass anchor mounts; the casket with a star inlaid gadrooned top and brass presentation plaque engraved "MADE FROM THE TIMBERS OF THE SHANNON AND CHESAPEAKE, THE DARK WOOD IS THAT OF THE SHANNON AND THE LIGHT THAT OF THE CHESAPEAKE", on lion monopodia, the box containing a lock of Sir Philip Broke's hair and a section of silk which was around his neck during the action between his frigate Chesapeake and H.M.S. Shannon, together with a leather belt with brass buckle and sword harness, and two straps with brass mask head fasteners



For an account of the battle between the Chesapeake and H.M.S. Shannon, see the next lot.  

The 'Rule Britannia!' Loan Exhibition of Paintings and Works of Art in Aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institute, entry 170; held at Sotheby's, London, January 1986.