The Marine Sale at Bonhams (27.5/25/20/14.5% buyer’s premium) on April 27 included a very rare gold and enamel ring marking the death of Admiral Lord Nelson in 1805, writes Roland Arkell.
It relates to the series of 58 rings made by the London jeweller and sworder cutter John Salter that were distributed by the executors of Nelson’s will to relations, close friends and pall bearers.
Each is worked in black, white and red enamel with a coronet and the word Trafalgar. The gold shanks are engraved on the outside Palmem Qui Meruit Ferate (let him bear the palm of victory who has won it) and the inner surface engraved Lost to his Country 21 Oct 1805 Aged 47.