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Freedom Boxes

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Author	Topic: Freedom Boxes
doc Posts: 730 Registered: Jul 2003	posted 03-09-2005 09:09 PM I was recently talking with a silver dealer and we got on to the topic of Irish freedom boxes. This dealer, who was admittedly more of a Southern silver expert, had never heard of a freedom box, and I found myself at somewhat of a loss to explain them myself. I have known what they are but I was not able to explain the term "freedom box". Does anyone have a good explanation or know of a good article on them, as I would like to forward more information to my dealer friend. IP: Logged
Clive E Taylor Posts: 450 Registered: Jul 2000	posted 03-10-2005 02:50 PM A freedom box was a small, often circular box, usually engraved with the arms of the city whose freedom was being bestowed on the recipiant of the box. It contained the document confering the Freedom of that particular city. 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, often involving an apprenticeship or one's father being a freeman. By the late eighteenth century the guilds had largely lost their power and infuence to control ecomonic activity , the industrial revoltion and non-city areas leaving them fighting a rear guard action to protect their privilges - unsuccessfully in the long run. By 1800 "Freedom " being confered on you was an honour with virtualy no benefits. Even today the honour of being made a freeman of the City of London is highly prized , but of no value. Despite popular belief it does not confer the right to herd sheep over London Bridge - although a freman is allowed to sell sheep inside the City area.Although Health & Safety and the police object. Examine Freedom boxes carefully, they are very expensive, very desirable, very scarce and there are plenty of similar sized boxes to which suitable arms and inscriptions can be added . IP: Logged
adelapt Posts: 418 Registered: May 2003	posted 03-10-2005 04:20 PM And to add to Clive's comprehensive reply... During the Victorian period freedom boxes tended to become larger and more imposing - they took on the characteristics of reliquary chests or caskets - highly ornamental boxes often with architectural ornament, enamelled panels, figural attachments and the like. Their use persisted into the 20thC, and may in fact still do so. IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11573 Registered: Apr 93	posted 03-10-2005 07:05 PM From the Canadian Museum of Civilization: quote: *Freedom Box* London, England; 1884; silver This sterling silver Freedom Box is highly ornamented with Canadian symbols. On the top of the box in a place of honour is a beaver, beside the gnawed stump of a tree. A band of maple leaves adorns the edge of the cover and the base. Each of the rounded corners contains scenes of Canada: a couple skating on a lake, a bear in the wilderness, the Canadian mountains, and voyageurs paddling their canoe. Moose heads decorate the corners of the front inscribed panel. Four standing bears support the box. This magnificent box was presented to Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's first prime minister, on January 11, 1885, by his "Political Friends of the City and District of Quebec". It honoured his seventieth birthday, as well as forty years of public life. The engraving on the front is in both of Canada's official languages, English and French. The Coat of Arms of the Province of Quebec adorns the sides. The Coat of Arms of Sir John A. Macdonald is on the back. Inscribed on the bottom are the names of Quebec members of Parliament and other political figures. A leather bound Address to Macdonald, found inside the silver box and written in both English and French, praises Macdonald for his vision and leadership in building a great nation: Canada. IP: Logged
Patrick Vyvyan Posts: 640 Registered: May 2003	posted 03-10-2005 11:27 PM This is an earlier Irish example from the MFA at Boston: Marked by Carden Terry Marked by Jane Williams Freedom Box Irish (Cork) Ireland, (Cork), 1815 Silver H. 2.3 cm x W. 7.5 cm x D. 5.1 cm (7/8 x 2 15/16 x 2 in.); Weight: 99 gm (3 oz 4 dwt) Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: Gift of Miss M.H. Jewell 25.166 "The rectangular box features the arms of Cork engraved centrally within a plain rectangular cartouche surrounded by a band of engraving of flowers, thistles, shamrocks, and folliage. Engraved at each corner are a starburst and in the center of the band above and below the arms, a harp. The lid is mounted onto the real wall of the base with a flush five-knuckle hinge. The sides of the box are plain and the base engraved with an inscritption as noted above. The interior of the box is gilt." [This message has been edited by Patrick Vyvyan (edited 03-10-2005).] IP: Logged
doc Posts: 730 Registered: Jul 2003	posted 03-12-2005 07:14 PM Thank you Clive for the great explanation-I was part way there, but now I am much more knowledgeable. I actually should have put it together, as my grandfather was made a Freeman of the Town of Clonmel in Ireland-and that did allow him to graze livestock in the town square! My mother owned a couple of freedom boxes, so I have had the chance to see the real thing up close (she was a dealer who specialized in Irish silver). None in my collection yet, but one can always hope! IP: Logged
ahwt Posts: 2377 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 06-30-2020 11:54 PM I was looking through some books on Irish silver for silver made by Stephen Walsh and came on these freedom boxes. The book is “Cork Silver and Gold Four Centuries of Craftsmanship”; edited by John R. Bowen and Conor O’Brien. This book documents an exhibit in the Crawford Municipal Art Gallery, Cork in 2005 and shows some wonderful Irish silver. While I have seen examples of American and British Freedom boxes, I think the tradition started with the Irish. [This message has been edited by Scott Martin (edited 07-01-2020).] IP: Logged
doc Posts: 730 Registered: Jul 2003	posted 07-04-2020 09:05 AM ahwt, thanks for sharing the photos. I had forgotten about this post! I had the chance to see the Cork silver exhibit at the Crawford associated with the publication; wonderful. I still haven't added a freedom box to my collection...yet. IP: Logged

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