Lot 308

308

CAPTAIN BROWNE'S H.M.S. VICTORY TEA CADDY

A REGENCY OAK, EBONY AND BRASS-INLAID TEA CADDY

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PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN

CAPTAIN BROWNE'S H.M.S. VICTORY TEA CADDYA REGENCY OAK, EBONY AND BRASS-INLAID TEA CADDY

EARLY 19TH CENTURY

Details

CAPTAIN BROWNE'S H.M.S. VICTORY TEA CADDY

A REGENCY OAK, EBONY AND BRASS-INLAID TEA CADDY
EARLY 19TH CENTURY
The sarcophagus-shaped caddy with lettering for Nelson's principal victories, the front inscribed TRAFALGAR 21 OCTOBER 1805 and the England Expects ... signal around a silver portrait medallion of Nelson, the hinged lid surmounted by a brass anchor and VICTORY inside, the twin canisters inscribed POWDER and SHOT, on four brass cannonball feet, the underside with a brass plaque inscribed THIS CABINET IS MADE FROM A PIECE OF DECK OF THE "VICTORY" WHEREON THE IMMORTAL NELSON FELL WHEN HE RECIEVED HIS DEATH WOUND AT THE BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR 21 OCTOBER 1805. DESIGNED BY CAPTAIN BROWNE R.N. LIVERPOOL, cannon-type key with naval gun carriage rest and letters of provenance from the early 19th century
10 in. (25.5 cm.) high; 10½ in. (27 cm.) wide; 6¼ in. (16 cm.) deep

Provenance

Anonymous sale, Trafalgar Bicentenary The Age of Nelson, Wellington and Napoleon, Christie's, London, 19 October 2005, lot 69.

Brought to you by

Peter Horwood

phorwood@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2359

Lot Essay

Although not specifically identified, the Captain Browne named as this caddy's designer is almost certainly Captain George Browne who served as a Signal-Lieutenant on Victory at Trafalgar and, as such, was one of the officers who, with Pasco, prepared the famous England Expects signal prior to the battle. After Trafalgar he served under Lord Collingwood until the latter's death in 1809.

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