The Admiral's punch bowl

A 19th century Elsinore punch bowl, formerly the property of Admiral Sir Frederick William Erskine Nicolson of Carnock, 10th Baronet (1815-1899), Royal Navy.  He entered the Navy (from the Royal Naval College) 24 Nov. 1829; passed his examination in 1831; obtained his first commission 2 Jan. 1837; served during the two following years on the Lisbon station in the Trinculo 16, Capt. Henry Edw. Coffin; and on 7 Nov. 1839 was appointed to the Blonde 42, Capt. Thos. Bourchier. For his services in the latter ship in the operations of May, 1841, against Canton (where he well played his part), and the meritorious and valuable assistance he afforded as her Senior Lieutenant in those of the ensuing Aug. and Oct. against Amoy and Chinghae, he was rewarded with a Commander’s commission dated 26 Aug. in the same year. Obtaining command, 14 Dec. 1844, of the Fantome 16, he sailed, in the early part of the following year, for the Mediterranean, where, in personal command of the boats of that vessel, he was for many hours, 12 May, 1846, engaged in a desperate affray with a large force of Moorish pirates on the coast of Barbary in a successful attempt to recover the merchant-brig Ruth, of which they had obtained possession. The British on the occasion sustained a loss of a Midshipman (Mr. Rich. Boys) killed, and 8, including thie first-Lieutenant, John Sanderson, wounded. Sir Frederick himself suffered a narrow escape: while in the midst of the fire, encouraging and cheering his men, two bullets went through his hat; another caught the heel of his boot, and a stone grazed his lip. For his gallant conduct he was advanced to his present rank by a commission bearing date the day of the action. He returned in consequence to England, and has since been on half-pay.

The bowl was presented to captains passing through the Elsinore Sound, Denmark.  It was common pratice for shipping agents at the port of Helsingor, or Elsinore, to commission portrait bowls which were then given to visiting ship's captains.

The bowl has an original label 'Sir Frederick William Erksine Nicolson Baronet Captain in the Royal Navy, residing in William Street, Albert Gate, London" to the base.

Nicolson’s son, Frederick, was killed fighting Zulus in 1879.  

The bowl has survived in excellent condition, with no chips or cracks, but with some wear to the gilt.

Measuring: 28 cm wide

 c. 1845   ***RESERVED****