Price guide to Freedom Boxes. The “Freedom of the City” is an honor given by a municipality to an important resident or visitor, often as an address in a decorated box or casket. This box, presented by the Council of the City of New York in 1773 and chased with the arms of the City, is the only known Colonial gold freedom box in private hands. They often have military connotations, although this is not always the case.
AYNSLEY CHINA INTEREST: a Victorian silver and silver-gilt freedom box
S Blanckensee & Son Ltd, Birmingham 1899
Rectangular, the front with the enamelled arms of Longton, the sides with images of Longton, the back engraved with an 1899 freedom inscription to John Aynsley, mayor of Longton 1886-1890 and grandson of the founder of Aynsley China, all on a wood plinth, length of plinth 35.5cm.
Sold for £2,805 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2022
A GEORGE II IRISH GOLD FREEDOM BOX
MARK OF WILLIAM CURRIE, DUBLIN, 1754-1756
Circular, the detachable cover with reeded rim and engraved with a coat-of-arms within a rococo cartouche flanked by flowers and fronds, the base similarly engraved with the arms of the City of Dublin, marked inside base, on side and inside cover
3 in. (7.5 cm.) diameter, 4 oz. 12 dwt. (143 gr.)
Sold for USD 47,500 at Christie’s in 2018
William Reynolds of Cork circa 1760, rare Irish sterling silver gilt repousse “Freedom Box,” the cover engraved, “Cork Arms / Statio / Bene Fida / Carinls,” interior maker’s mark, “WR.” 1″ H x 3.25″ W x 2.5″ D. Approx 5.03 ozt.
Sold for US$4,250 at Auctions at Showplace in 2019
An Irish silver freedom box, Aeneas Ryan, Dublin, 1805
silver
8.5cm., 3 3/8 in. wide ; 138.1gr.; 4oz 8dwt
rectangular with cut corners, the hinged cover engraved, on a shield in the manner of Thomas Bewick, with the Dublin city coat of arms, the hinge ornamented with laurel, the base with a lengthy inscription, gilt interior, fully marked inside lid and base and on side exterior.
Sold for 3,750 GBP at Sotheby’s in 2017
