Lot 137
  • 137

Lord Nelson's Grog Chest, A travelling chest with decanter set, wine glasses and beaker for Lord Nelson, circa 1800

Estimate
35,000 - 45,000 GBP
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Description

  • glass, wood, brass, velvet
  • 41cm x 29.2cm x 27cm., 16 1/8 in. x 11 1/2 in. x 10 5/8 in.
the velvet-lined fitted rectangular casket with hinged lid and brass mounts to the edges, two swing handles to the sides, a small rectangular drawer below with key plate, the escutcheon on the lid inscribed 'Admiral Lord Nelson's/ Chest.', the lockplate inscribed 'John Frederick/ Foster,/ The Gift of his Aunt/M.H. Todd, /May 1875.', comprising:

Five contemporary rectangular shouldered canister flasks, with narrow necks and everted rim, each engraved GIII within branches of lily of the valley;
a later flask, inscribed Vic, with similar floral engraving;
a flared beaker, inscribed GIII;
two earlier drawn-trumpet wine glasses, inscribed Vic within tied branches of lily of the valley;

Provenance

With S. J. Phillips, London, circa 1985
On their receipt is written that 'This chest formerly belonged to Admiral Nelson, was inherited by the godson Horatio Nelson Atkinson, the son of the Master of the Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. It came into the possession of M.H. Todd of Keswick, Cumberland and passed by descent from her nephew John Frederick Foster to Elizabeth Foster, Duchess of Devonshire. This chest was previously at Glyde Court, Ireland.';
London, Sotheby’s, Trafalgar: Nelson and the Napoleonic Wars, 5 October 2005, lot 98;
Where acquired by the owner.

Condition

There is some typical wear to the rims of the bottles and to the underside of the feet with a few associated chips at the same area. One bottle has a flat bruise chip to the edge of the underside. The case has as later felt lining. There is typical wear and tear and marks to the case consistent with age. Some brass mounts are lifting and there is some movement to the timber notably a split to the lid around the lock plate which is visible in the catalogue image. The lock mechanism is no longer functioning. One brass mount to the rear now lacking and some pins are lacking. There is signs of old wood worm which no longer appears active.
"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."

Catalogue Note

According to R. Mackenzie, The Trafalgar Roll, 1913,  '(12) Mr. T. Atkinson was appointed Master, R.N., 1795- Master of the Theseus at Tenerife, 1797; at the battle of the Nile, 1798; and commanded one of the boats at the siege of Acre in 1799- wounded. Master of Elephant, under Nelson, at Copenhagen, 1801 and of the Victory at Trafalgar, 1805- Carried a bannerol of lineage at Nelson's funeral, 1806. Master Attendant, Halifax Dockyard, 1806; 2nd Master-Attendant, Portsmouth Dockyard, 1810 and 1st Attendant from 1823 until his death, which occurred there in June 1836, in the 69th year of his age. Held in great respect by Nelson, who stood godfather to his son, Horatio Nelson Atkinson, Lieut., R.N.'

A torn circular paper label indistinctly inscribed in ink 'See The Cumberland & Westmorland Advertiser, Tuesday. October 17th./ The death of Lord Nelson's Godson is recorded. His name was Horatio Nelson Atkinson, and he was a commander in the Royal Navy, and died at Great Yarmouth, aged 73. His father was master of the flagship Victory, at the Battle... and Mr. Todd...Keswick...Aged 72 years 13th October...'

Five of the cased bottles appear to be of Continental origin and are contemporary with the period of the chest. The wineglasses are, however, of an earlier date and of English manufacture. The additional flask is of more recent date and is the only one to bear a reference to HMS Victory. It is unlikely that the inscription to the Victory was present on the glasses at the time of Nelson and may have been added, along with the flask, in the 1870s.