AN EARLY 19TH CENTURY MINIATURE COFFIN, APPARENTLY CONSTRUCTED FROM THE COFFIN THAT CONTAINED THE BODY OF ADMIRAL LORD NELSON

The lead lining inside the lid is engraved: “George Harnage Captain R.N. 1820”. A printed label underneath reads: “Mr. Walter Burke, Purser of the Victory, maketh Oath, that the wood and lead of which this casket is made, is part of the coffin that contained the body of the late Lord Nelson. Sworn before me at Rochester, signed in ink and again below.” A further handwritten note states: “Mr. Burke never Quitted Lord Nelson from the time he received his mortal wound to his death. Mr. Burke gave this to my father on August 5th 1806.” Signed by George Harnage, dated 1821.

Provenance: A private North Devon Estate.

Note: Walter Burke (1736-1815) was a purser in the Royal Navy, he was serving aboard HMS Victory at the battle of Trafalgar in 1805 and was present at the death of Admiral Lord Nelson. Nelson is quoted: “It is nonsense, Mr. Burke, to suppose I can live. My sufferings are great but they will soon be over.”