This is a Tobacco Jar covered in scrimshaw with Admiral Nelson motifs. Dating between 1805 and 1815, owned by Thomas Atkinson R.N.
The name Thomas Atkinson can cause confusion at this point. There are two, one Thomas Atkinson born 1767 who served on HMS Victory as Master and one Thomas Atkinson Lieutenant born probably in the 1790s. This box is now attributed by the auction house to the Lieutenant.
The young lieutenant, however, unlike the master, did not take part in any of the battles depicted here; he did not even join the Navy until 1806. I would therefore attribute this can to Thomas Atkinson, the Master of HMS Victory, because not only did he take part in the battles, he also had a relationship with Nelson, who was not only his son's godfather, but also asked him personally to serve as Master. So it is more likely that he had this can made for him.
