Oval miniature in watercolour in an oval gilt metal decorated surround, set in a black-lacquered rectangular wooden backing with rounded corners, and with a brass suspension ring and hanger of a single acorn and oak leaves, top centre. Nelson is shown long bust length, in uniform, facing the viewer with his head (no hat) turned to sitter's left, against a neutral blue backgound.

The portrait is a technically competent but less than lifelike copy after Abbott's oil of 1797-8, of which the Museum has two early versions (BHC2887 and BHC2888), though this example is probably from a print. The star is intended to be that of Knight Commander of the Bath, with which Nelson was rewarded after the Battle of Cape St Vincent (and for which he also wears the captain's gold medal), but since even Abbott's early oil versions do not show it accurately neither does this image.

The miniature is from the Sutcliffe-Smith Collection of Nelsoniana (no. 183).