Wooden Miniature Cannon Muzzle from Royal George Wreck

A wooden miniature cannon muzzle, reputedly made from wood salvaged from the wreck of hallmarked sterling Royal George, 1756 realistically modelled in miniature form, bearing a label with an indistinct inscription, stamped to the top side Royal George, 17 cm long. History: hallmarked sterling Royal George was a 100 gun first-rate ship of the line, commissioned for the British Navy in 1746 and launched 1756., the ship capsized and sank in 1782 as a result of overbalancing whilst attempting to gain access to the lower section of one side of the hull for maintenance, resulting in the loss of 900 lives., the loss of the ship was a prominent event in British maritime history and was memorialised in artwork and written works of the period, after several early attempts, a concerted salvage operation was undertaken 1834 to 1843. Materials from the wreck found use in a number of prominent British monuments, including timber which was used in the construction of the billiard table in Burghley house, near Stamford, Lincolnshire and melted bronze from the salvaged cannons, which was used in the foundation of Nelson's column in London's Trafalgar square.