A Victorian Parcel-Gilt Silver and Enamel Freedom Casket, T & J Bragg, Birmingham, 1889
No reserve
Lot Closed
April 5, 05:07 PM GMT
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
A Victorian Parcel-Gilt Silver and Enamel Freedom Casket, T & J Bragg, Birmingham, 1889
in the form of a classical pavilion with gilt Corinthian columns and white silver swags, enclosing polychrome enamel scenes of a city building and two views of a country house, also applied with crowned monograms, and with presentation inscription, the cover chased with panels of emblematic devices including industry, agriculture, literature and art, all surrounded by an enameled trophy of towers, mottos, mace, fasces, oak and olive sprays, coats of arms and ram’s head crest, lined in satin and on stepped japanned wood base; containing an illuminated parchment scroll with rod with enameled crest terminals, marked on base rim and cover
length 9 1/4 in.
23.5 cm
The inscription reads “County Borough of Huddersfield, The Honorary Freedom of the County Borough of Huddersfield enclosed in this Casket upon Alderman Wright Mellor Esq. J.P.,D.L. Mayor 1871-2, 1872-3, 1883-4, and 1886-7 And Chairman of the Waterworks Committee since 1872 in recognition of the eminent service rendered by him to The Town, Joseph Brooke, Mayor, George B. Nalder, Town Clerk, September 25 1889” The polychrome, illuminated scroll in Medieval style repeats the gift of the Freedom and is signed in ink by the Mayor and Clerk, and affixed with a red and gilt town seal.
Wright Mellor was born 29 March 1817 in Salendine Nook, Lindley, son of woolen manufacturer James Mellor, married in 1844 Harriet Kilner ,and lived at Cote Royd, Edgerton. They had at least seven children before her death in 1863. He married his second wife Eliza Ann Helliwell in 1865, and died in 1893.
A portrait of him by John William Brooke shows this freedom casket on a table by his side.
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