Head-and-shoulders classical-style white marble bust of Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson with a small square base, scrolled on either side, on a round black-marble socle.

Nelson is shown with medium-short hair parted above the left eye, his head turned half to sitter's right and looking slightly down. The shoulders of the figure are slightly flattened on each side and concealed behind the robe.

The front of the square base is inscribed 'NELSON' and the bust is signed on the back 'J. G. BUBB Sculpt'. It was first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1810 and appears to have quickly entered the Nelson-Ward family (that of Nelson's and Lady Hamilton's daughter, Horatia, after her marriage in 1822) with whom it remained until 1955. It then became the property of Rupert Gunnis, author of the 'Dictionary of British Sculptors', who left it to the Museum at his death ten years later.

After a prize-winning start at the RA Schools, Bubb (1782-1853) was a prolific sculptor. He worked extensively as a modeller in terracotta from 1818, successfully returning to sculpture about 1830, after the bankruptcy of his modelling business.