Sivler Freedom casket presented to Admiral of the Fleet Sir David Beatty

Freedom casket presented to Admiral of the Fleet Sir David Beatty, 1st Earl Beatty (1871-1936) by the City of Manchester, 27 September 1919.

Silver and blue-enamel casket with parcel-gilt embossed ring handles (St George at one end and St Michael at the other). It has canted corners with reeded pillars, celtic decoration on capitals, enclosing seven matt blue enamel panels decorated with 'DB', 'M', ships, flowers etc overall.

At the front is a hinged lock cover with the Manchester coat of arms in coloured enamel and the motto 'CONCILIO ET LABOR' and 'CITIZEN OF NO MEAN CITY'.
The thumb clasp is decorated with the punning heraldic bees, the lid is set with purple stones, and the bottom border is roses and leaves. The inside is purple-lined, and contains an illuminated Freedom scroll. A silver plaque inside is inscribed 'CITY OF MANCHESTER. PRESENTED WITH THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY TO ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET SIR DAVID BEATTY GCB., OM., GCVO., DSO., SEPTEMBER 27th 1919'. The casket is in a fitted case.

Object Details

ID: PLT0013
Collection: Decorative art
Type: Freedom casket
Display location: Not on display
Date made: 1919
People: City of Manchester; Beatty, David
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Earl Beatty Collection. Purchased with the assistance of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, 1983.
Measurements: 155 x 315 x 160 mm
Parts: Sivler Freedom casket presented to Admiral of the Fleet Sir David Beatty