Decorative art

You can view over 1000 decorative art items in Collections Online.

The decorative art collections at the National Maritime Museum include silver, ceramics, furniture, glass, jewellery, textiles and sailors' craftwork. These items total almost 6000 individual pieces dating from the 18th century onwards.

Four-piece silver wine set presented to Captain Hewitt of the Britannia. D4608_4 They include everything from valuable presentation pieces to inexpensive, disposable souvenirs that were fashionable at the time of production. Late 18th and early 19th century examples feature strongly and also reflect the peak in the manufacturing of commemorative material. The largest group is the mainly British ceramics of over 2000 separate objects.

The Greenwich Hospital Collection forms the core of the Nelson collections, including many items of engraved silver associated with the Admiral. The Museum has also acquired items from various branches of the Nelson family. In 1948, important relics in possession of the 5th Earl Nelson at Trafalgar House were purchased for the nation and added to the collection. John Walter of Norwich had lent his large private accumulation of commemorative items, consisting of ceramic pieces, glass, objets d'art and Nelson souvenirs. These were later purchased by the Museum. Another similar collection, on loan from Sir Henry Sutcliffe Smith since 1946, was purchased in 1974. This included personal Nelson relics as well as commemorative pieces.

Highlights from the online collection include a porcelain Worcester breakfast service purchased by Lord Nelson and Sir John Franklin's pocket watch.

Access to the collections

Researchers are welcome to study items but an appointment must be made in advance.

For further information:

Email: research@rmg.co.uk