An English porcelain tumbler, probably Spode, from the 'Baltic Service',...
An English porcelain tumbler, probably Spode, from the 'Baltic Service', circa 1802-04
Of plain tapering shape, the border with shaded oak leaves and gold acorns, above a fouled anchor within a victor's wreath and gilded inscriptions 'Nelson, 2nd April, Baltic', 'The Glorious 1st August' and '14th February', 10cm high
According to the terms of Nelson's will, Emma inherited most of the household china from Merton, including the 'Baltic Set'. By 1813, however, Emma's remaining possessions were packed in crates in a warehouse as surety against loans to keep her out of debtor's prison. The much-quoted Trickey Inventory of 'Plate China Glass &c belonging to Lady Hamilton' lists the components of her 'Baltic Set' tea, dinner and dessert services. The pieces listed as part of the 'Baltic Set Dessert Set' include '1 Jug & Cover' and '8 Tumblers'. These correspond with shapes which might otherwise be described as a Lemonade Set.
The crates of china were stored by Alderman Smith until at least 1831. It is then likely that he gave (or sold) Emma's 'Baltic' tea service to Samuel Hood, Baron Bridport who had married Nelson's niece, Charlotte, Duchess of Bronte. When the Baron died in 1868, his Nelson relics passed to his son, Alexander Nelson, Viscount Bridport. Thus, what remained of their Baltic Set was sold in Lord Bridport's sale at Christie's on 11 July 1895. In the Christie's sale, eleven lots can be recognised as pieces from the Baltic set, as the entry for lot 54 gives the complete description including all inscriptions. Below this, Lots 56 to 58 comprised a total of seven 'Beakers with similar inscriptions'. It is highly likely that the seven beakers in Lord Bridport's sale were seven out of the eight 'Tumblers' Emma Hamilton used at Merton, and this suggests the eighth tumbler had, by this time, been broken.
Aside from the creamware dinner service, all other parts of the Baltic Set are made from Paris porcelain with London enamelling. This tumbler, however, is an early form of bone china, almost certainly Spode. The Spode factory specialised in 'matchings' or replacements and it is likely that an extra jug and tumblers were ordered for Merton.
A similar tumbler from the Baltic Set was sold by 1818 Auctioneers on 6 February 2022, lot 31.
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An English porcelain tumbler, probably Spode, from the 'Baltic Service', circa 1802-04
Of plain tapering shape, the border with shaded oak leaves and gold acorns, above a fouled anchor within a victor's wreath and gilded inscriptions 'Nelson, 2nd April, Baltic', 'The Glorious 1st August' and '14th February', 10cm high
According to the terms of Nelson's will, Emma inherited most of the household china from Merton, including the 'Baltic Set'. By 1813, however, Emma's remaining possessions were packed in crates in a warehouse as surety against loans to keep her out of debtor's prison. The much-quoted Trickey Inventory of 'Plate China Glass &c belonging to Lady Hamilton' lists the components of her 'Baltic Set' tea, dinner and dessert services. The pieces listed as part of the 'Baltic Set Dessert Set' include '1 Jug & Cover' and '8 Tumblers'. These correspond with shapes which might otherwise be described as a Lemonade Set.
The crates of china were stored by Alderman Smith until at least 1831. It is then likely that he gave (or sold) Emma's 'Baltic' tea service to Samuel Hood, Baron Bridport who had married Nelson's niece, Charlotte, Duchess of Bronte. When the Baron died in 1868, his Nelson relics passed to his son, Alexander Nelson, Viscount Bridport. Thus, what remained of their Baltic Set was sold in Lord Bridport's sale at Christie's on 11 July 1895. In the Christie's sale, eleven lots can be recognised as pieces from the Baltic set, as the entry for lot 54 gives the complete description including all inscriptions. Below this, Lots 56 to 58 comprised a total of seven 'Beakers with similar inscriptions'. It is highly likely that the seven beakers in Lord Bridport's sale were seven out of the eight 'Tumblers' Emma Hamilton used at Merton, and this suggests the eighth tumbler had, by this time, been broken.
Aside from the creamware dinner service, all other parts of the Baltic Set are made from Paris porcelain with London enamelling. This tumbler, however, is an early form of bone china, almost certainly Spode. The Spode factory specialised in 'matchings' or replacements and it is likely that an extra jug and tumblers were ordered for Merton.
A similar tumbler from the Baltic Set was sold by 1818 Auctioneers on 6 February 2022, lot 31.
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
