Lot 131
131
A RARE REGENCY SILVER FREEDOM BOX

Details
A RARE REGENCY SILVER FREEDOM BOX
MAKER'S MARK OF OWEN FIELDING OF PLYMOUTH DOCK, APPARENTLY EXETER, 1814

Circular, with removable cover, the flange engraved The Freedom of the Borough of Plymouth to the Right Honourable Viscount Melville, H. Wollcombe, Esqr. Mayor, 1814, the cover engraved with the Plymouth coat-of-arms, marked on base and cover
3 5/8in. (9.3cm.) diameter
Provenance
Robert Saunders Dundas (1771-1851), 2nd Viscount Melville

Robert Saunders Dundas followed his father's political career, entering Parliament in 1794 as M.P. for Hastings. When he received the present box from the City of Plymouth, he was serving as first Lord of the Admiralty, a position he held from 1812-1827. Sir Walter Scott wrote of the 2nd Viscount: "Though no literary man he is judicious, clairvoyant, and uncommonly sound-headed, like his father, Lord Melville" (Dictionary of National Biography).

Lot Essay

A silver freedom box presented to the 1st Viscount Melville is offered as the previous lot.

Timothy Kent has identified this maker's mark as that of Owen Fielding of Plymouth Dock. Fielding submitted boxes for assay at Goldsmiths' Hall in London from 1808 onwards, and Grimwade records one of 1813 (The London Goldsmiths, no. 3476; see note, p.267).