Fan

Fan commemorating the Battle of Trafalgar, 1805. It has wooden struts with the design printed on paper in black with a silver border. It depicts a monument to Lord Nelson, his bust crowned by Victory with Britannia seated in mourning, Hope points to the inscription 'HE LIVES FOR EVER' in the sky above. On the plinth is inscribed the verse 'Now he's gone, our dear Lord Nelson's dead / The pride of Britons and of foes the dread'. The scene is explained below: 'Britannia bewailing the loss of her fallen Hero Who is crown'd by Victory, whilst Hope points to immortality'. On the reverse is inscribed within a border 'AN ACROSTICK, / on the much Lamented Death of the Late / Lord Nelson / No loyal Britons heart but mourns his fate, / Ever beloved Hero our Conquer [sic] Great, / Long has his glorious Victorys, stampt his fame, / Stampt Immortal honors on his Dear Loved Name, / O' may his soul in heavenly mansion shine, / Now fleed from us - we trust to Bliss Devine'.

Object Details

ID: OBJ0425
Collection: Decorative art
Type: Fan
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Coker, B.
Events: Napoleonic Wars: Battle of Trafalgar, 1805
Date made: 21 November 1808
People: Nelson, Horatio
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 177.8 x 279.4 mm