OF HISTORICAL, NAVAL AND NELSON INTEREST: A Regency giltwood and gilt gesso pier mirror commemor...

OF HISTORICAL, NAVAL AND NELSON INTEREST: A Regency giltwood and gilt gesso pier mirror commemorating Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson and celebrating three contemporary British naval victories 1805-1810 The plate with re-entrant bevelled angles, flanked by engaged spiral twist turned columns headed by palmette angles, the frieze with a laurel leaf and palm embellished military trophy incorporating opposing cannons, two opposing pyramid stacks of cannon balls, the British ensign and an anchor above the following on a ribbon or banner: 'Nile, Copen, Trafalgar', the central coat of arms or heraldic device of Lord Nelson within a garter bearing the motto: 'Palmam qui Meruit Ferat' ('Let him bear the palm who has earned it') surmounted by the naval crown, flanked by two palmettes below a repeating cannonball cornice, 110cm high x 79cm wide. Footnotes: The decoration on the frieze of the offered lot pays clear tribute to three of the most significant naval victories in the history of Britain and these were all recent in time to the date of the present mirror, which is circa 1810. Also, the main part of this frieze displays a proud military (arguably militaristic) trophy in combination with the central focal point which is the coat of arms of Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson. This patently acknowledges and, by extension, commemorates the pivotal role played by Nelson in establishing, developing and maintaining British naval pre-eminence during the late 18th/early 19th century period. Following the Battle of the Nile, not only was Nelson's coat of arms changed or 'upgraded' through the inclusion of a ship and a palm tree (amongst other then new constituent heraldic elements), but he was honoured with the title of Baron at that time too. Added to this, the new motto of 'Palmam qui Meruit Ferat' seems to have made its first appearance from 1799 onwards, only a year after the Nile engagement. These words encompass Nelson's armorial shield on the above mirror and are surmounted appropriately by the Naval Crown. In defeating the French fleet at the Battle of the Nile in 1798, the British asserted their naval supremacy as a major part of the conflict known as the French Revolutionary Wars which raged across Europe between 1792-1802. Only a few years later this dominance was reaffirmed at the first Battle of Copenhagen, in 1801. Both the Nile and Copenhagen actions could be seen as vital in the countering of overall French military might at that time. Subsequently, in 1805, early on during the Napoleonic wars and indeed not long after Napoleon had crowned himself Emperor, the French navy suffered a further heavy defeat at the renowned battle of Trafalgar. Nelson was in large part responsible for these triumphs, leading the British forces at the Nile and of course later at Trafalgar whilst, despite technically being second in command for Copenhagen, he was effectively in charge there as well. During these years of hostilities, without this hugely positive and impactful contribution of the Royal Navy under Nelson, it is possible to reason that the French would have had much more opportunity to further strengthen and support its land forces. And this would have undoubtedly resulted in additional pressure being applied on France's enemy through its ground troops, and may even have been enough to tip the balance of the wars in France's favour against Britain and its allies. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: TP TP For auctions held in Scotland: Lots will be moved to an offsite storage location (Constantine, Constantine House, North Caldeen Road, Coatbridge ML5 4EF, Scotland, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue. Please refer to the catalogue for further information. For all other auctions: Lots will be moved to an offsite storage location (Cadogan Tate, Auction House Services, 241 Acton Lane, London NW10 7NP, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue. Please note transfer and storage charges will apply to any lots not collected after 14 calendar days from the auction date. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing