Coalport breakfast cup and saucer from the Nelson Set Tea Service, estimate £1500-2000 at Bonhams.
Nelson was a great admirer of porcelain and he and Emma Hamilton owned several services. However, financial problems after his death in 1805 meant the couple’s china was placed in storage and kept as surety against loans. This included the so-called Nelson Set Tea Service, decorated with Nelson’s full arms, which was reputedly presented to him by the City of London following the signing of the Peace of Amiens in 1802.
In the years following Emma’s death in 1815, the set was split up and the remnants, including 10 breakfast cups and saucers, were sold at auction in 1895. This Coalport breakfast cup and saucer is offered with an estimate of £1500-2000 as part of a Bonhams’ sale titled the Nelson and The Navy.