Around the drum-shaped pedestal surmounting the granite basement, four shackled prisoners are seated on blocks positioned at the cardinal points: they represent Nelson's four great victories at Cape St Vincent, the Nile, Copenhagen, and Trafalgar. Between the prisoners, set into the drum, are four bronze bas-reliefs depicting various naval actions in which Nelson engaged. Encircling the drum below the cornice are swags of laurel. The swags are slung from behind lions' heads located at the top corners of the pilasters framing the prisoners. Rings in the lions' mouths are attached to chains to which, in turn, the prisoners are manacled. Surmounting all is the Apotheosis group, consisting of a roughly pyramidal group of five figures, entangled in the drapes of four captured flags.