In any art collection whose origins are diverse, there will inevitably be a "miscellaneous" section. In the case of the Defence Collection this section includes some of the very best works of art and historic objects in the archive, all of which have little in common other than the fact that their provenance usually includes, at some stage, the desire of a previous owner that they should come into the care of the Admiralty, the War Office or, more recently, the MOD. - Table Centrepiece; Sea Monster and other Creatures
- Artist unknown
This extraordinary item, which takes the form of a mythical sea-creature surrounded by very detailed crustacea, was among the collection of items commissioned by Mrs Fish for the Admiralty in order to commemorate the death of Nelson.
- Esther and King Ahasuerus
- Artist unknown
- This tiny carving is one of a set of five fifteenth century Flemish alabaster panels from Chicksands Priory, in Bedfordshire. When the site was taken over by the Armed forces the alabasters were given to the local museum, where they were displayed for many years until their decision that they should return to their original home.
- Various types of Bird's with Viaduct
- Tobias Stranover
- This painting was part of a large restoration project undertaken on eight extraordinary bird paintings that hang in Amport House. The work was carried out by the conservation studio of Alexandra Walker whose painstaking work uncovered the signature of Tobias Stranover on three of the paintings.
- Bird's Eye view of Venice
- Francesco Guardi
This magnificent work by Francesco Guardi was painted around 1740. It was one of the many works bequethed by John Wilson Croker; Secretary to the Admiralty between 1809 and 1830, and the collections main benefactor.
- Guards Memorial
- Henry Jenkins
- The Portland stone cenotaph was erected in 1926 on Horse Guards Parade and dedicated to the five Foot Guards regiments of the Great War. This small watercolour is one of a set of six painted by Henry Jenkins and held within the collection.
- Maquette for Nelson's Column
- Edward Hodges Baily
- Edward Hodges Baily was commissioned to produce a statue of the Admiral, to be placed in a square named after his most famous battle. The result was the production of Nelson's Column; the sculptor gave his model - also known as a maquette - to the Admiralty. This maquette now stands on the foyer of the former Old Admiralty Building, Whitehall.
Admiralty Messenger's Badge 1824/5 - Joseph Angell
The collection encompasses a number of medals and badges. Among the best are a series of Admiralty Messengers' badges; this example is one of a set of four made between 1820 and 1827. The Admiralty Messengers' badges identified the bearer and acted as a form of guarantee of despatch and delivery.
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