These are a pair of wooden cannonball-shaped bookends that were made from the wooden undercarriage of a gun - a cannon - on the Victory, Lord Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar. They are probably oak, which was the most prevalent wood used on the Victory - it is estimated that 6000 English oak trees were used to build the Victory. (The orders to build the Victory were issued in 1758, construction started in 1759, she was launched in 1765, and Lord Nelson died on her decks in 1805, after being shot by a French sharpshooter at the Battle of Trafalgar.) The bookends have been used by the consignor as bookends at his home for the last umpteen years; the consignor was an avid collector of Lord Nelson memorabilia, and a letter he owned that was written and signed by Lord Nelson in 1801 recently sold at auction, so there is provenance for the bookends. The bookends measure 6 3/8 in. long and 12 3/4 in. long when placed back to back. They are 5 3/8 in. high and have wear commensurate with age - you’d expect that since the Battle of Trafalgar took place over 200 years ago - and they are still very attractive and in very good condition. There is a chip and an age crack on the back of one bookend, and that is really it. The cannonball shapes themselves are actually in very good condition, with a beautiful patina, and the set would be a great addition to anyone's library or to someone who is a Nelson collector. Size: 5 1/2 x 5 1/8 x 6 1/2 in. #2593