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The following two lots were recovered from the wreck of The General Abbatucci in 1996 by the salvage company Blue Water Recoveries Ltd. and were offered for sale by Christie's on 7th October 1997. The General Abbatuci was a 282-ton cargo ship that on the 13 May 1869 left the port of Marseilles on a routine trip bound for the port of Civitavecchia, Italy. It's cargo was thought to include several million French Francs and gifts for the birthday of Pope Pius IX from officials in France and possible pay for the French Army stationed in Italy.
Tragically the ship was involved in a collision with a larger Norwegian vessel off the northern coast of Corsica. As a consequence the General Abbatucci was holed and sank with the loss of 54 passengers and crew.
A 19th century French gold watch chain, formerly recovered from the wreck of the General Abbatucci
Details
A 19th century French gold watch chain, formerly recovered from the wreck of the General Abbatucci
The front section composed of a two colour reeded and polished belcher-link chain suspending a matching cross bar, the back section composed of similar smaller links, circa 1860, 50.0cm. long
The front section composed of a two colour reeded and polished belcher-link chain suspending a matching cross bar, the back section composed of similar smaller links, circa 1860, 50.0cm. long
Provenance
Ex part Lot 182, Christie's 7th October, 1997, this lot is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Christie's and Blue Water Recoveries Ltd.
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