Porcelain sauceboat, 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 sauceboat is oval, with shell-shaped handles and stands on four moulded scroll feet. It has a finial in the shape of a pine cone on the lid. 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'.