Own a part of history -  Order Your Victory Set Now!

The text below is an extract from the book of provenance. A copy of the book of provenance, which also contains a numbered certificate of authenticity endorsed by the Ministry of Defence, will accompany each set.

"Beauty rests on utility"; this favourite Shaker saying is no more apparent for me than in the design of their boxes. Consisting of only four pieces, their clean elegant lines perfectly proportioned are both deceptively simple and frustratingly difficult to perfect, requiring the mastering of some unusual skills. Held together without glue, they rely on a series of copper tacks to secure the oval band once it has been steam bent around a form. The tops and bottoms, after customised shaping and sizing, are held in place by wooden pegs. The characteristic swallowtail fingers are functional as well as decorative.

Relieving the stress of the joint and absorbing seasonal movement. Brother Delmar Wilson made the last "authentic" Shaker box in 1954 at Sabathday Lake, Main.

Although the Shakers did not invent the oval box, they did refine it to its present form. The earliest were probably made in the 18^th century, following the establishment of Shaker communities, after the arrival in America of mother Ann Lee and her followers in 1774. However, these early boxes were mostly for their own use and it was only later they were made in quantity for sale to the "world". Nevertheless, the design would have been contemporary with Nelson and Trafalgar. Interestingly, H.M.S Victory had a number of Americans amongst her crew; I like to think that one of them may even of had a Shaker box amongst his possessions.

These limited edition sets (limited to 250) are made using French oak for the bands, as well as that claimed from the Victory for the tops, to commemorate the fallen on both sides of the conflict. The copper discs set into the lids are also made from Victory material and are the same diameter as a French musket ball of the period.

More information can be found at www.nelsonsvictory.com.

This edition size is limited to 250.
A Deed of Provenance will accompany each limited addition set; this will include a numbered certificate of authenticity signed by the Commanding Officer of HMS Victory, the Managing Director of Victory Ltd and a Chief Executive of the Ministry of Defence.

Box sizes
Smallest Box (Size 2): Length: 5 5/8 in, Width: 3 3/4 in, Depth: 2 1/4 in
(Metric: Length: 14.4cms, Width: 9.4cms, Depth: 5.6cms)
Medium Size Box (Size 3): Length: 7 1/8 in, Width: 4 5/8 in, Depth: 2 5/8 in
(Metric: Length: 18.1cms, Width: 11.8cms, Depth: 6.7cms)
Largest Box (Size 4): Length: 8 5/8 in, Width: 5 7/8 in, Depth: 3 3/8 in
(Metric: Length: 21.2cms, Width: 14.4cms, Depth: 8cms)

This limited edition is sponsored by the award-winning Bell Inn, Horndon on the Hill, Essex. www.bell-inn.co.uk

Boxes are also available singularly, these will be accompanied with a certificate of provenance only*.