An Extremely rare early George III Freedom Box made circa 1760 by Elizabeth Collier and retailed by Joseph Collier of Plymouth.
An Extremely rare early George III Freedom Box made circa 1760 by Elizabeth Collier and retailed by Joseph Collier of Plymouth.
375000
This box is circular in form, the bottom with reeded base. The slightly domed cover is also decorated with reeding around the side and the cover is beautifully engraved with the Armorial, Crest and Motto of Plymouth. The Arms are flanked by detailed Lion Rampant supporters. This piece is well marked on the base and cover with the maker's mark. Freedom Boxes were small, often circular, boxes which were usually engraved with the arms of the city whose freedom was being bestowed on the recipient of the box. It usually contained a wax impression of the arms, however very few retain their wax seals due to their fragile nature. Freedom in this context was largely an honour for services to that city or town. Originating in the rigid guild system of the middle ages, "freedom" was originally the right to join a guild and work and sell as a principal in that city. A near identical example, pierced with ribbon holes, by the same maker, is contained within the collection of the Plymouth museum. This is shown in their online catalogue of the collection. This piece is in excellecnt condition and the engraving is very crisp, being executed by a very skilled hand.
Height: 0.7 inches, 1.75 cm.
Diameter: 3.1 inches, 7.75 cm.
Weight: 4oz.
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![](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://www.marycooke.co.uk/british-silver-1760-1830/an-extremely-rare-early-george-iii-freedom-box-made-circa-1760-by-elizabeth-collier-and-retailed-by-joseph-collier-of-plymouth&media=https://seek-unique-co.s3.amazonaws.com/marycooke-8876-Qfhef-OE67/6566312f7d1a2_image_url_jw400.jpg&description=This box is circular in form, the bottom with reeded base. The slightly domed cover is also decorated with reeding around the side and the cover is beautifully engraved with the Armorial, Crest and Motto of Plymouth. The Arms are flanked by detailed Lion Rampant supporters. This piece is well marked on the base and cover with the maker's mark. Freedom Boxes were small, often circular, boxes which were usually engraved with the arms of the city whose freedom was being bestowed on the recipient of the box. It usually contained a wax impression of the arms, however very few retain their wax seals due to their fragile nature. Freedom in this context was largely an honour for services to that city or town. Originating in the rigid guild system of the middle ages, "freedom" was originally the right to join a guild and work and sell as a principal in that city. A near identical example, pierced with ribbon holes, by the same maker, is contained within the collection of the Plymouth museum. This is shown in their online catalogue of the collection. This piece is in excellecnt condition and the engraving is very crisp, being executed by a very skilled hand.Height: 0.7 inches, 1.75 cm.Diameter: 3.1 inches, 7.75 cm.Weight: 4oz.){kind=link}