Porcelain shell-shaped dish, part of a Japan pattern dessert service that belonged to Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson (1758-1805). It is painted and gilded with a pattern of flowers and leaves, predominantly in orange, blue, green and gold. The dish stands on three, moulded, shell feet decorated with gilding. The edge is scalloped and curls over to form the handle. In the inventory of the contents of his house at Merton, sold by Lady Hamilton in 1809, items of china of this pattern are referred to as the 'Botanical Set'. There are four similar dishes in the museum's collection AAA4615-AAA4618.