Admiral John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent, 19th Century Parian Ware Bust, After the Painting by Gilbert Stuart.
Admiral John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent (1735 - 1823) joined the Royal Navy in 1749 and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in 1755. He was regarded as a professional fighting Captain and disciplinarian during the Seven Years War and the War of American Independence, was knighted in 1782 and promoted Rear Admiral in 1787.
A Vice Admiral at the outset of the French Revolutionary War when he and General Sir Charles Grey captured Martinique and Guadeloupe in 1794. As an Admiral, he became Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean in 1795. He weeded out Captains and other officers he considered weak in favour of rising stars including Nelson, whom he promoted to Commodore as soon as possible. In 1796 due to the French advance into Italy and Spain's imminent alliance with them he based the fleet at Gibraltar and off Cadiz. When the Spanish fleet sailed early in 1797 he intercepted and defeated it off Cape St Vincent in the action that first brought Nelson to public fame, and was himself created Earl of St Vincent. With Admiralty approval he was responsible for detaching Nelson to reconnoitre the Mediterranean early in 1798 and then reinforcing him with the squadron that defeated the French at the Battle of the Nile that August. Jervis took command of the Channel Fleet in 1800, following illness.
Approximate dimensions are 21.5 cm height, 12.5 cm length and 6.5 cm depth.
Approximate weight is 659 grams.
In good condition with some age related discolouration and craquelure. There is a black mark on the neck (photo 9), but this is not a crack. One very small loss to the edge of the sash, below the left breast (photos 1 and 10). The interior is hollow.
