A porcelain coffee can or beaker, standing shy of 10cms high, has sold for £3,200 at auction.
The hand-decorated, handle-less vessel, is inscribed with ‘Nelson 2nd April Baltic’ and ‘The glorious 1st August, 14th February’.
Saleroom manager Bill Nelson says it’s likely to be part of a service that belonged to Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson. The British naval commander and national hero, famous for his naval victories against the French during the Napoleonic Wars.
“It commemorates the day in 1801 when Nelson destroyed the Danish fleet at Copenhagen. Pieces rarely come up for auction and that’s why it sold so well.
“It was part of a small clearance of a house in Arnside, which also included a collection of 18th-century glass and other quality items, and it was bought by a collector in the south of England.
“Bidding was very brisk over the weekend, as the live online auction closed,” added Bill Nelson from the saleroom on the Cumbria Lancashire border.
The item was sold at 1818 Auctioneers’ online sale of antiques, vintage and collectables.
