Reference:4720 Great Exhibition Souvenir, 1851

A large and impressive engraved nautilus shell of turban form, on the broadest side of which is a three-dimensional view of Crystal Palace, together with an inscription on a scroll 'View of the Exhibition, Hyde Park', together with its dimensions. On one side panel is a large crown on a cushion. To the rear is a four-line verse, ' My home was once in the deep blue sea, My dwelling a coral cave, I was oft lulled to sleep by mermaids glee, And rocked by the wild sea wave'. On the opposite side panel. In a decorative oval, has been engraved 'The whole engraving executed with a common penknife'. 160 mm. by 150 mm. by 110 mm.

Condition: Extremely fine.

Notes: A similar engraved shell is known for the 1862 International Exhibition and they are believed to have been executed by a C.H. Wood of Poplar, London. A contemporary newspaper reports that examples of his engraved shell penwork could be seen in the Fine Arts arena of the Great Exhibition, its design being ‘most artistic’ and execution ‘remarkably fine’. A most attractive souvenir of the Crystal Palace and the first of its type that has been handled (the engraving on the shell is clearer than might be apparent from the scanned image).