A creamware cheese tray from the 'Baltic Set Dinner Service',...

A creamware cheese tray from the 'Baltic Set Dinner Service', circa 1802
The large boat-shaped dish raised on four bun feet, with oak leaf and acorn borders, the inscription 'Nelson, 2nd April, Baltic' around a fouled anchor in a laurel wreath, one handle with a blue swag inscribed 'Nelson, the Glorious 1st of August, Aboukir', the second handle with inscription for the Battle of Cape St Vincent now lacking, the inscription '14th Feb' just visible, 36.5cm wide, 'No92' in brown script
Provenance
Probably Vice-Admiral Horatio, Lord Nelson
Probably Emma, Lady Hamilton
Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery and Midlothian (1847-1929); at Dalmeny House
Thence by descent
Sotheby's London, 5 October 2005, lot 173

When Emma Hamilton desperately needed to borrow money, crates of her possessions had been delivered into 'Mr Trickey's possession as a security for money lent'. A surviving inventory from circa 1813 bearing the name of Trickey lists the 'plate, china, glass &c.' belonging to Lady Hamilton. The inventory records the Baltic Set Dinner Service in some detail and at that time the set still included '2 Cheese Trays'. Intended to hold a complete truckle of cheese, this distinctive shape of stand is not usually included as part of a dinner service. With a special dinner set, however, a customer could order such items as additions or optional extras. The second cheese tray from Nelson's 'Baltic Service' doesn't appear to have been recorded.

Please see the footnote to lot 66 in this sale for more information on the creamware 'Baltic Set Dinner Service'.