Oval miniature in watercolour on ivory in an oval moulded and gilded wooden frame. Nelson is shown bust-length, in uniform, facing the viewer with his head (no hat) turned to sitter's left, against a neutral dark grey backgound. Though probably from a print, the portrait is a copy after Abbott's oil of 1797-8, of which the Museum has two early versions (BHC2887 and BHC2888). 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 green ribbon and the red colour used in both the collar and visible cuff are also inaccurate for the 1795-1812 uniform shown, since red was only briefly used in Royal Naval officers' uniform under William IV (reg. 1830-37). That aside, from its general appearance this item is more likely to date from the later 19th century.