A Chamberlain Worcester tumbler, circa 1798 or possibly 1802
The tapering beaker finely painted most likely by John Wood within an oval panel with a figure of 'Fame' blowing her trumpet and holding a portrait medallion of Nelson, the portrait resting on a sea chest covered with the Union flag, in the background a naval skirmish and a view of the Pyramids, the reverse with a yellow ground and delicate gilding, 10cm high, gold script mark 'Chamberlains Worcester'
Footnotes:
This finely-painted tumbler shows a relatively young portrait of Nelson and in the background a naval battle is identified by Pyramids and a crocodile, clearly referencing the Battle of the Nile which took place in August 1798. It is therefore highly likely that the present lot is the piece referred to in the Chamberlains factory order books in the same year, '1 Pint Tumbler, Nelson's Victory, yellow and gold' at a cost of three guineas; quoted by Geoffrey Godden, Chamberlain's Worcester Porcelain (1982), p.290.

This tumbler belongs to a small group of pieces with commemorative subjects, made by Chamberlains at the turn of the 19th century. Related decoration was also made at Derby. Unlike popular and inexpensive pottery commemoratives, these luxury porcelains will have been aimed at the wealthy London market. Another Chamberlain tumbler, depicting two officers flanking a bust, features a similar representation of the Pyramids. The inscription 'Peace' on the plinth of this second beaker suggests this was made four years later to commemorate the Peace of Amiens in 1802. This probably corresponds to the 1802 order book entry '3 rich ornamental Pint Tumblers with new covers, with emblems of Peace &c' that cost fifteen guineas (Godden, op cit, p.291). This Peace tumbler is illustrated by John Sandon, Dictionary of Worcester Porcelain (1996), p.348. It is likely that the painter responsible for these tumblers was John Wood, the principal figure painter employed by Chamberlains at this time.

Other authors have suggested that the Nelson tumbler in this lot might be the 'Elegant vase, richly ornamented with a miniature of his Lordship, supported by a figure of Fame &c', ordered by Nelson himself when he visited the Chamberlain factory in August 1802. This interpretation is certainly possible, although the Chamberlain factory appears not to have used the term 'Vase' when referring to sets of tumblers or beakers, even those with covers. Also, the figure of 'Fame' painted on this lot lacks Lady Hamilton's distinctive features.