Lloyd's Patriotic Fund vase presented to Captain, later Vice-Admiral James Nicoll Morris (1763?-1830) after the Battle of Trafalgar, 1805.

Silver vase and cover of amphora form with a flat cover surmounted with a lion passant. The body of the vase is in two pieces, with high handles; the upper section has a laurel leaf border at the neck. The lower section has on one side a figure of Britannia holding winged Victory in her hand, and on the other side Hercules slaying the Hydra. The lower part has acanthus leaf and acorn decoration with a circular foot.
Inscribed on the shoulder: ‘From the Patriotic Fund at Lloyds to JAMES NICOLL MORRIS ESQR CAPTAIN OF HMS COLOSSUS for his meritorious services in contributing to the signal victory obtained over the COMBINED FLEETS OF FRANCE AND SPAIN, OFF CAPE TRAFALGAR on the 21st of October 1805’ On the foot: ‘Rundell Bridge et Rundell Aurifices Regis at Principes Walliae Londini fecerunt’.

During the battle, HMS 'Colossus', 74 guns, was in the lee line following Collingwood, and sustained greater damage and lost more men than any other ship in the fleet. Despite being severely wounded, Morris remained on deck during the rest of the action.

The Patriotic Fund was founded at a meeting at Lloyd's Coffee House at the Royal Exchange, London, in 1803. It set up a national subscription used to vote money to those wounded in action, and to the dependants of those killed, and also gave awards of money, silver and presentation swords. Fifteen Patriotic Fund vases were awarded after the Battle of Trafalgar, in different sizes according to value. Most vases, like this one, were valued at £100. Morris also received a £100 Lloyd's sword. John Flaxman, the sculptor, produced the final design for the vases, which were supplied by the Royal Goldsmiths, Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, and made by different silversmiths.