Master Art

A Regency ormolu mounted enamelled glass lantern by William Collins.
Note: The smoke shade and hanging chains are of later date. The glas is signed 'Patent Enamel' beneath the ormolu ring.
The painting captures a view of the stern of HMS Victory, Admiral Lord Nelson's flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, as she breaks through the French line and engages the enemy vessels to either side of her.
William Collins produced a range of fine enamelled glassware to celebrate British victories in the Napoleonic Wars with France between 1803 and 1815. Suites of tableware for Queen Charlotte, Prince Augustus Frederick, the Duke of Sussex and other aristocratic patrons are also recorded.
The Duke of Wellington, commander of the British forces at the Battle of Waterloo in1815, attended the opening of Waterloo Bridge in London in June 1817, not far from Collins's premises at 227 Strand, where he produced enamelled glass wares like this lantern in celebration of the occasion.