Diameter: 7.8cm (3in)
Gilt Brass. Of circular form. The top comprising a relief portrait bust of Nelson in full uniform, hair en queue, cloak gathered round just below the epaulettes, within the embossed inscriptions ‘ADMIRAL LORD NELSON’ / ‘BORN 29 SEPT. 1756’, with a Greek key border. The sides with panels containing trophies of arms, naval crown and recumbent lion, on a linear pattern border. The reverse, also within Greek key border, embossed, between two oak branches, ‘CONQUEROR / At / ABOUKIR / 1 AUGT 1798 / COPENHAGEN / 2 APRIL 1801 / TRAFALGAR / 21 OCTr 1805 / WHERE HE / GLORIOUSLY / FELL’. Signed ‘M&P’ for Nathaniel Marchant, R.A. (1739-1816) and Lewis Pingo (1743-1830).
Marchant was noted as a sculptor of intaglios, medals, and poetical designs for cameos. His subjects included copies from the antique, adaptations of famous paintings and portraits of his contemporaries. He held several appointments, including Assistant Engraver to the Royal Mint, Gem Sculptor to the Prince of Wales, Engraver to the King and from 1800, Engraver to the Stamp Office. He was elected an associate of the Royal Academy in 1791 and a full Academician in 1809. Lewis Pingo was also an Assistant Engraver to the Royal Mint who succeeded his father in the post in 1776.
Similar examples are in the V&A (O78488) Royal Naval Museum, Portsmouth (212/73).