Skip to main content

This auction has ended. View lot details

You may also be interested in

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

An Irish silver freedom box with the Coat of Arms for Cork no maker's mark, Dublin 1808 image 1
An Irish silver freedom box with the Coat of Arms for Cork no maker's mark, Dublin 1808 image 2
An Irish silver freedom box with the Coat of Arms for Cork no maker's mark, Dublin 1808 image 3
An Irish silver freedom box with the Coat of Arms for Cork no maker's mark, Dublin 1808 image 4
An Irish silver freedom box with the Coat of Arms for Cork no maker's mark, Dublin 1808 image 5
Lot 765*

An Irish silver freedom box with the Coat of Arms for Cork
no maker's mark, Dublin 1808

15 – 16 February 2022, 10:00 GMT
London, Knightsbridge

Sold for £3,187.50 inc. premium

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Home and Interiors specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Ask about this lot

An Irish silver freedom box with the Coat of Arms for Cork

no maker's mark, Dublin 1808
Rectangular form with rounded corners, the cover prick-dot and bright-engraved floral and foliate decorative border incorporating the flowers of the Union, daffodils shamrocks roses and thistles, to the centre the Latin motto and Cork City arms 'STATIO BENE FIDA CARINIS', further prick dot wrigglework bands to the sides, the base engraved with presentation inscription 'With this Box the Freedom of the City of Cork in IRELAND was Unanimously Given to Capt Robt Hall for his Gallant conduct in His Majesty's Navy the 22nd day of August 1809', length 7.5cm, weight 2.8oz.

Footnotes

Captain later Sir Robert Hall (1778 - 1818) was bestowed the 'Freedom of the City of Cork' for his gallantry while serving His Majesty George III, and was presented with this silver box in commemoration of this honour on August 22nd, 1809.

Robert Hall was gazetted as a lieutenant in the Royal Navy on 14 June 1800, a commander on 27 June 1808, and a captain on 4 March 1811. He attracted attention for sterling service in the defence of a fort on the Gulf of Rosas, Spain, in November 1808 while in command of the bomb-ketch Lucifer.

Previously, as a midshipman Robert Hall's bravery was also brought to attention when he was commended for his behaviour whilst aboard the Royal Naval ship 'HMS Dart' in battle, capturing numerous Dutch gunboats in the Zuiderzee in 1799, and a French frigate in 1800.

Merchants of Cork and Dublin were keen to acknowledge the efforts of the British navy blockading Continental Europe. These actions both protected and expanded their trade with North America, Portugal and other neutral countries and the Far East, mainly India. Freedom boxes were therefore used as presentation pieces and were given to persons who received the honorary freedom of a city or town. These were usually non-residents who were then exempt from further payment of tolls.

Additional information

Bid now on these items

Attributed to Katherine Hepburn(1907-2003)Church steeple scene 9.25 x 12.25 in.; frame: 15.25 x 18 in.

An Omega Pocket Watch Engraved to Spencer Tracy from Joan Crawford Date: c. 1937

Signed to Spencer Tracy 1952 Hemingway, Ernest. 1899-1961. The Old Man and the Sea, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1952.

A Presentation Copy of Kennedy's First Book to Spencer Tracy. Kennedy, John F. 1917-1963. Why England Slept. New York: Wilfred Funk, Inc., 1940.

1931 Invicta 4.5-Litre S-Type Low Chassis Sports

Mille Miglia eligible 1930 Lancia Dilambda 1st Series Sports Tourer

49 kilometres from new 1989 Ferrari 328 GTS

Property of a deceased's estate 1972 De Tomaso Mangusta Coupé

Property of a deceased's estate; in current ownership for 41 years 1975 Alfa Romeo Montreal 2.6-Litre Coupé

The Rex Judd Collection, 1939 Rudge 250CC Sports

The Rex Judd Collection, 1914 Sun Villiers 269cc

The Rex Judd Collection, c.1921 Norton 490CC 'Model 9'

The Rex Judd Collection, C.1948 Norton 490CC Manx

The Rex Judd Collection, 1898 The Motor Traction Company Ltd 'Holden' 800cc Flat Four 'Motor Bicycle'