An H.M.S. Foudroyant copper and oak shield

An H.M.S. Foudroyant copper shield, the embossed copper plaque with the coat of arms of Great Britain flanked by two shields, reading ‘Launched Plymouth 1789’and ‘Wrecked Blackpool 1897’ above a central roundel showing the bow of the famous battleship, all against a field of flowers with four ribbons incised ‘Made from the Old Foudroyant’ and set on an oak panel, also from that ship.  The reverse with a statement of authenticity from ‘Fletcher’s Antique Furniture & the Foudroyant Company Limited’.  English, circa 1897.

Footnote: Fletchers Antique Furnishing and The Foudroyant Company Ltd. was incorporated in 1898, probably in response to the huge demand for furniture and souvenirs made from oak and copper, salvaged from the hulk which lay on the beach for a considerable time.  Wrecked on 16 June 1897 during a violent storm she lay at Blackpool Sands until she broke up completely in a December storm.  The company was short lived having been dissolved by 1916.