Shipwreck Fob Watch Stand by James Medhurst c1855

Description

Heading : Shipwreck fob watch stand by James Medhurst

Date : c1855

Period : Victoria

Origin : Weymouth

Decoration :Geometric banding to front panel. Velvet lined space for watch. Medhurst label to base – see below.

Size : 10cm x 11.2cm

Condition : Some knocks and wear – mosaic in good condition with only a small loss to the top left corner. Some losses to veneer to border of front cover. The back panel has come loose and is held in place by the velvet lining.

Restoration : None

Weight :  101 grams

“MADE FROM THE COLUMBINE. WRECKED ON PORTLAND BEACH. NOVEMBER 28TH 1838.

The “Columbine” was a fine, handsomely built vessel, adapted for long voyages – was. built in Africa in 1810. She left Gravesend for the river in Gambia (being her 16th voyage) on Friday the 22nd, instant, having on board the Rev, Mr. and Mrs Peard, for the Mission Station at St. Mary’s, with only four other respectable passengers. From the place of her embarkation to Portland Roads the wind was favourable, but on the morning of the following day the “Columbine” was seen nearing the shore on Portland Beach: the man at the helm was, as is supposed, forced from it by the violence of the sea, in consequence of which the vessel swung round, and being cuaght between two tremendous seas, was dahsed to pieces, and every soul on board perished.
The wood is of the most beautiful description, being a very rare kind of shaded Cedar, and when highly polished, forms an interesting and superb, as well as most choice PRESENT FROM WEYMOUTH.”

Although the the ship was wrecked in 1838 the Medhurst address given means this piece must date from the 1850s.