Freedom casket presented to Sir George Biddell Airy (1801-92) Astronomer Royal, by the City of London in 1875.

The rectangular gold and enamel casket, containing the Freedom scroll of the City of London, is surmounted by the Arms of the City of London enamelled, and the motto ‘Domine Dirige Nos.’.

Enamelled panels on the front and ends represent the universe, with models of globes at each end, telescopes at the angled corners, and glass and enamel jewels around lid and base, stars and bands of coloured enamels and flowerheads. The lid is hinged and there is a thin wooden lining with purple velvet on the base.

The back panel is inscribed: ‘A Common Council holden in the Chamber of the Guildhall of the City of London on Thursday the 29th Day of April 1875, resolved unanimously that the Freedom of this City in a gold box be presented to Sir George Biddell Airy KCB DCL LLD etc Astronomer Royal. AS A RECOGNITION OF HIS INDEFATIGABLE LABOURS IN ASTRONOMY and of his eminent services in the advancement of practical science, whereby he has so materially benefited the cause of COMMERCE & CIVILIZATION. STONE Mayor MONCKTON’.

The design drawing for this box, a watercolour signed by Ernesto Rinzi and dated July 1975, was later acquired by the NMM (ZBA1617).