A Fine Engraved Nautilus Shell (1800 to 1900 England)

An old type written card enclosed, partly reading: ‘Present from Her Majesty to Artisan. It will be remembered that a few days ago we noticed the circumstances of Her Majesty having condescended to accept from a humble artisan named Wood, in the employment of Mr Winsland builder, London, a shell of the nautilus, on which he had engraved with a common penknife the Royal Arms, Prince of Wales’ Feathers, the Great Britain and the Great Western steam ships with full description of the same, verses from Pope. There were altogether about 1500 words beautifully engraved in German text, Old English, Roman and Italic characters, the whole was surrounded with a rich border, the head of the shell represented that of a parrot, being admirably adapted for that purpose. …..’

The SS Great Western was the first steamship purposely built for the Atlantic crossing and was designed by the great railway engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Brunel also designed the revolutionary ship the SS Great Britain which in 1843 was the largest ship afloat at more than 100 feet longer than her rivals, constructed of iron and was the first ocean going screw propelled ship as well as being rigged as a six masted top sail schooner.

A Fine Engraved Nautilus Shell Decorated with the Royal Armourial and Feathers of
Albert, Prince of Wales and with Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s Ship’s ‘The SS Great Britain’ and ‘The SS Great Western’ Giving their specifications and detailing their launching.
‘Engraved with a common penknife by C.H Wood who had the distinguished honour of presenting one similar to Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, Jun. 1845’
(small chip with a hairline fissure to one edge)
Circa June 1845

Size: 14cm high, 16cm deep, 8.5cm wide – 5½ ins high, 6¼ ins deep, 3¼ ins wide