A permanent home for Shonibare’s ‘Nelson's Ship in A Bottle’

Nelson Ship in A Bottle by Yinka Shonibare at National Maritime Museum.

Finally, the reconstruction of 18th century war-time vessel, Nelson’s Ship in A Bottle by Yinka Shonibare {MBE} has found a permanent home outside the National Maritime Museum.  

Originally produced in 2010 – supported by Guaranty Trust Bank {GTB} -  it had generated huge attention as a Fourth Plinth sculpture, mounted at Trafalgar's Square.  Parts of the components include the artist’s traditional Dutch Wax fabric identity.

The facilitator of the permanent place for Nelson’s Ship In A Bottle, the Royal Museums Greenwich, says on its website: “We are delighted to announce that thanks to the generosity of many individuals, the fundraising appeal to buy Yinka Shonibare, MBE’s sculpture Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle for the National Maritime Museum and ensure it remains on permanent display has been a success. The work, which is a scaled down replica of HMS Victory, now has a permanent new home outside the recently opened Sammy Ofer Wing”. 

Meanwhile, the museum shows some other works of Shonibare this autumn.  

About Horatio Nelson (1758-1805) 

Horatio Nelson was born on 29 September 1758 in Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk. His parents were the Reverend Edmund Nelson and Catherine Suckling, Sir Robert Walpole's great-niece. His naval career began when he was only 12 years old, and ended with his death at Trafalgar on 21 October 1805.

Nelson became the most popular British hero of his time for his naval victories against France. His Trafalgar signal 'England Expects That Every Man Will Do His Duty' is the most famous (and misquoted) signal in naval history