Nelson's Lost Jewel: The Extraordinary Story of the Lost Diamond Chelengk

by Martyn Downer

Admiral Lord Nelson’s diamond Chelengk is one of the most famous and iconic jewels in British history. Presented to Nelson by the Sultan Selim III of Turkey after the Battle of the Nile in 1798, the jewel had thirteen diamond rays to represent the French ships captured or destroyed at the action. A central diamond star on the jewel was powered by clockwork to rotate in wear. Nelson wore the Chelengk on his hat like a turban jewel, sparking a fashion craze for similar jewels in England. The jewel became his trademark to be endlessly copied in portraits and busts to this day.After Trafalgar, the Chelengk was inherited by Nelson’s family and worn at the Court of Queen Victoria. Sold at auction in 1895 it eventually found its way to the newly opened National Maritime Museum in Greenwich where it was a star exhibit. In 1951 the jewel was stolen in a daring raid by an infamous cat-burglar and lost forever.For the first time, Martyn Downer tells the extraordinary true story of the from its gift to Nelson by the Sultan of Turkey to its tragic post-war theft, charting the jewel’s journey through history and forging sparkling new and intimate portraits of Nelson, of his friends and rivals, and of the woman he loved.

288 pages, Hardcover

Published October 4, 2017

Reviews

[Cathleen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nelson's lost Jewels is well written and fascinating. Downer has a comprehensive knowledge of jewels and this comes through in the writing. Really enjoyed the relationship between Nelson and Emma. Nothing like a forbidden romance, a scandal and English aristocracy. One of the most interesting books I've read.

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing and charming book examining not just the history of the diamond 'chelengk' (an award presented by the Ottoman sultan) but also various of the other amazingly extravagant baubles presented to Nelson in the course of his short life. What is surprising to learn is that the bulk of the most valuable of these gold and jewelled items, having been purchased by or donated to nation were stolen, from the V&A and Greenwich Naval Museum (at different times) and broken up and melted down.

The book is really more an account of how two branches of Nelson's family (both descending from his two brothers) managed to grab, hold on to, and eventually dissipate the huge amounts of rewards Nelson had accumulated in his short life - this include two separate pensions one for each branch of the family which were only finally terminated after WWII. The last of the feudal estate in Sicily were only finally disposed of in 1981 (except for a family plot which allows the current descendant to retain the title Duke of Brontë). As such it fascinating for anyone who loves this kind of historical curiosity. It is the sort of thing I find greatly enjoyable - but is more a frothy confection not a substantial or sustaining history. By the end I had had enough and although the author suggests creating a copy of the lost 'jewel' I can't think of anything more pointless. It was a vulgar decoration (there was a mechanical device which made the main diamond rotate (that must have grown tiresome very quickly) if the original existed it would have antiquarian interest. But a reproduction? - I can't imagine what it would have for anyone.

[Valaya Gaudet · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am interested in jewelry history, which is why I bought this book, but I was only able to read bits of it. I found that the book was haphazardly put together. Although there are a few interesting nuggets of information, the way the story is told simply didn't hold my attention. I also have the impression that the beauty of the diamond Chelengk is greatly exaggerated. The piece sounds more like a cheap trinket or a curiosity that no one at the Turkish court wanted. Sorry, Lord Nelson.