A gold memorial ring made for one of Nelson’s ‘Band of Brothers’ – and containing a lock of the Admiral’s hair – sold for £20,000 (plus premium) at Duke’s of Dorchester on December 7.
The buyer, prepared to double the top estimate, was a private collector from the south of England.
This ring differs significantly from the well-known group of 58 enamelled rings made by the Strand jeweller John Salter in 1806 and given to Nelson’s family, friends and Trafalgar admirals and post-captains. This ring was given to Admiral Sir Benjamin Hallowell (Carew).