This George IV Irish provincial silver-gilt City of Cork freedom box by Richard Garde comes up as lot 501 at Noonans in Mayfair, London on March 12. It is engraved with a presentation inscription reading: “The Freedom at Large of the City of Cork was unanimously voted to Liet. Gen. Lord Combermere. Commanding His Majesty’s Forces In Ireland. Sept. 18th, 1824.” The hinged cover is engraved with Cork City coat of arms with garter and the Latin motto ‘STATIO BENE FIDA CARINIS’ (a safe harbour for ships). It is flanked by thistles, flowers and harps, with coronets to the corners. The inscription is engraved on the base. There is an equestrian statue of Lord Combermere outside Chester Castle and the freedom box has remained in his family since. It is estimated at £3,000-£4,000.
Richard Garde was registered at 18 Broad Lane, Cork, in 1824, and in 1833 at 17, Broad Lane. He was registered at Dublin in 1827, continuing until 1838.