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

One of the most famous and iconic jewels in British history, Admiral Lord Nelson's diamond Chelengk was presented to him by the Sultan Selim III of Turkey after the Battle of the Nile in 1798. It had thirteen diamond rays to represent the French ships captured or destroyed and a central diamond star powered by clockwork to rotate in wear. After Trafalgar, it was inherited by Nelson's family and worn at the Court of Queen Victoria. It was stolen in 1951 in a daring raid by an infamous cat-burglar and lost forever.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 30 April 2021
Publisher: The History Press Ltd

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 Chelengk: from its gift to Nelson by the Sultan of Turkey to its tragic post-war theft, charting the jewels journey through history and forging sparkling new and intimate portraits of Nelson, of his friends and rivals, and of the woman he loved.

Introduction:
The diamond Chelengk, presented to Admiral Lord Nelson by the Sultan Selim III of Turkey after the Battle of the Nile in 1798, is one of the most famous and iconic jewels in British history. The jewel, which featured thirteen diamond rays representing the French ships captured or destroyed at the action, became Nelson's trademark and was endlessly copied in portraits and busts. After Trafalgar, the Chelengk was inherited by Nelson's family and worn at the Court of Queen Victoria. However, in 1951, the jewel was stolen in a daring raid by an infamous cat-burglar and lost forever.
The Jewel:
The diamond Chelengk was a stunning piece of jewelry, featuring a central diamond star powered by clockwork that rotated in wear. The jewel was presented to Nelson by the Sultan Selim III of Turkey after the Battle of the Nile, in which Nelson's fleet defeated the French fleet and captured the Egyptian city of Cairo. The Sultan was impressed by Nelson's bravery and leadership and wanted to honor him with a special gift.
The Design:
The diamond Chelengk was designed by a Turkish jeweler named Mehmet Ali Pasha. The jewel featured thirteen diamond rays, each representing a French ship captured or destroyed at the Battle of the Nile. The central diamond star was also powered by clockwork and rotated in wear, adding to the jewel's elegance and sophistication.
Nelson's Worn:
Nelson wore the diamond Chelengk on his hat like a turban jewel, sparking a fashion craze for similar jewels in England. The jewel became his trademark and was endlessly copied in portraits and busts. Nelson's association with the diamond Chelengk added to his legendary status and made him a symbol of British bravery and patriotism.
The Aftermath:
After Trafalgar, the diamond Chelengk was inherited by Nelson's family and worn at the Court of Queen Victoria. However, in 1951, the jewel was stolen in a daring raid by an infamous cat-burglar named Harry Roberts. Roberts was a skilled thief who had a reputation for stealing valuable jewelry and artifacts. The raid took place at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, where the diamond Chelengk was on display. Roberts and his accomplices used a ladder to gain access to the museum and stole the jewel, escaping with it in a car.
The Search:
The theft of the diamond Chelengk caused a national outrage and a massive search was launched to find the stolen jewel. The police, the museum, and private investigators worked tirelessly to track down Roberts and recover the stolen jewel. However, Roberts was able to evade capture for several years, and the diamond Chelengk remained lost forever.
The Legacy:
The theft of the diamond Chelengk has left a lasting legacy on British history. The jewel was a symbol of British bravery and patriotism and was admired by people all over the world. The loss of the jewel has also raised questions about the security of valuable artifacts and the need for better protection measures.
Conclusion:
The 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, the jewel became his trademark and was endlessly copied in portraits and busts. However, in 1951, the jewel was stolen in a daring raid by an infamous cat-burglar named Harry Roberts. The theft of the jewel has left a lasting legacy on British history and has raised questions about the security of valuable artifacts and the need for better protection measures.

Weight: 492g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780750994279
Edition number: 2 New edition