An 18th century silver mounted cowrie shell snuff box of Napoleonic War naval interest, the shell naturalistically formed in the shape of a whale and embellished with an inset red paste eye, the silver hinged lid with later engraved inscription 'Thos Hardy R.N', length 8.9cm. Note: it is quite possible this snuff box was formerly owned by Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, 1st Baronet (1769-1839), a British Royal Navy officer. His illustrious naval career included the French revolutionary wars and the Napoleonic wars, most famously as flag captain to Admiral Lord Nelson, and commanded HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in October 1805. On 21st October Nelson was shot by a French sniper while pacing the quarterdeck with Hardy, and as he lay dying, uttered the famous words 'Kiss me, Hardy'.