Engraved Nautilus Shell by Charles H. Wood Incorporating the Arms of the City of London & Later Mounted on Silver Gilt Pedestal Made by George Fox 1907

An Engraved Nautilus Shell by Charles H. Wood Incorporating the Arms of the City of London and later mounted on a silver gilt pedestal made by George Fox, 1907 This shell is a true tour de force of shell engraving and there is no doubt as to its authorship-the St George and the dragon motif and some of the engraved verses on this piece are also found on other shells engraved by Charles H Wood and the quality of the engraving is typical of his finest work. These motifs appear on the series of shells made by Wood to commemorate the Great Exhibition in 1852, also incorporating the arms of the City of London and the Royal coat of arms. The present piece also incorporates the Prince of Wales’ crest and motto, Ich Dien, and an emblem which features a caduceus flanked by a pair of cornucopias that probably relates to an allegory of commerce and good fortune. The present shell is engraved with verses relating to the life of the nautilus shell itself. In common with all of Wood’s work, this composition was created with a simple penknife and then inked to create the contrasting effect. One of the previous owners of this shell commissioned a bespoke silver gilt pedestal for it from the silversmith George Fox of London in 1907.