Antique English Regency desk set in form of British sailors defending a fort
An extremely rare and very unusual bronze desk set in the form of British sailors ( or Jack Tars) defending or more likely attacking a fort with mortars. Set on bun feet with what appears to be an inkwell in the form of a castellated fort in the centre of three "peninsulars" each with a sailor and a mortar standing on them. The peninsulars very unusually with a scalloped edge all around. The mortars are exceptionally well modelled and are very lifelike models of mortars that were in use by the british from the late 18th century. The British sailors are also very well modelled with good detail to their faces, long hair and whiskers. They can be seen wearing typical canvas trousers, open shirt with necktie and the typical Royal Navy sailors leather hat covered in paint or Tar ( possibly from where we get Jack Tar). In one hand each sailor holds a cutlass while the other hand held aloft probably held a slow match to set off the mortar. Most unusual object, the fort no doubt the inkwell while the mortars were probably pen or quill holders. English Regency circa 1815. 8.5 inches wide by 5 inches high (22 cms by 12.5cms).