A Sailor’s Tribute In Memory of Sir William Peel

This fine sailor-made woolwork picture was made as a tribute to the memory of Sir William Peel, the obelisk bedecked with the flags of the alliance nations during the Crimean War of 1854-55. Cannon protrude from either side at the base of the obelisk whilst two tars wave the Union Flag at the top of the plinth.

Captain Sir William Peel was the son of Sir Robert Peel. He entered the Royal Navy in 1838 and became its youngest captain in 1849. He was one of the first recipients of the Victoria Cross awarded for his extreme bravery during the Crimean War. He famously picked up a live Russian shell with a burning fuse and tossed it over a parapet before it exploded.
During the Indian Mutiny of 1857 he commanded the Shannon and formed a highly effective Naval Brigade that fought on land to the relief of Lucknow. He died the following year of smallpox at the age of 33.

This woolwork picture made around the time of Sir William’s death, circa 1860, within the (presumed) original bird’s eye maple veneered frame.

o.s:18.75 inches x 15.5 inches