This is my cannon ball from the time of Nelson, so, the early 19th century. I bought it from an antiques dealer years and years ago, but I will never sell it. It has little nobs of lead all over it to make it more effective when it hits something. Some of them are missing. Wear and tear I suppose. I love the idea that this cannon ball’s past is so much more dramatic than any human’s could be.

Valerina, 78, artist, London, UK.