Beschreibung:

City of London two-colour gold and enamel oval One Hundred Guinea Freedom Box for the Battle of St. Vincent, by James Morisset (Hallmarks for London 1797-98), 74 mm. x 117 mm., the cover chased with an outer border of oak leaves and acorns, and an inner border of laurel leaves, all on a granulated gold ground, framing an oval painted enamel plaque of an engagement during the battle, the walls decorated with four rectangular enamel plaques depicting the arms of the City of London the arms of Waldegrave and monogram WW, both in trophies of arms, and a naval coronet, and four square enamel plaques depicting naval trophies, all divided by gold pilasters and surmounted by a frieze of gold swags of oak leaves and acorns with three small oval enamel plaques, the base with H.M.S. Barfleur in full sail within an applied gold border of oak leaves and laurel, the inside lid inscribed "WATSON MAYOR A Common Council holden, in the Chamber of the GUILDHALL of the CITY of LONDON on Friday, the 10th. day of March, 1797. RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY, That the Thanks of THIS COURT be given to Vice Admiral Thompson, Vice Admiral the Hone , Willm. Waldegrave, Rear Admiral Parker, & Commodore Nelson, for their gallant behaviour on the 14th of February last , in defeating the Spanish Fleet and that they be presented, severally with the FREEDOM of this CITY in a GOLD BOX. Note: Sir Robt. Calder omitted by mistake, afterwards rectified by a like vote.", the box in extremely fine condition , in its original silk-lined red leather case