Unusual Nelson Commemorative Mirror c.1815

This pier glass is of narrow rectangular form comprising three panels within acanthus capped gilt wood columns. The upper panel with a reverse-glass painting of a naval battle, probably the Battle of the Nile. The lower panel showing a representation of Admiral Viscount Nelson’s coat of arms with the motto Palman Qui Meruit Ferat flanked by scrolling gilt acanthus leaves. English, circa 1815 This mirror is an example of a Nelson commemorative object manufactured by a furniture maker to fulfil public demand. Other enterprising manufacturers made wine coolers (p.71), cameos, portrait medallions (p.66), jewellery (p.67) or curtain pulls decorated in enamels with Nelson’s portrait, designed furniture with brass plates and handles celebrating the Admiral’s victories or used timber recovered from Nelson’s warships and prizes to create souvenirs (p.92).