Gold City of London freedom box presented to Admiral Edward Vernon (1684-1757).

Rectangular gold box with a hinged lid. An engraving of the City of London coat of arms with the motto 'DOMINE DIRIGE NOS' covers the lid of the box, within a scrolled border with scallop shell design at the corners and classical figures of Hercules on the left and Victory on the right. Inscribed above the arms is: 'NEC PLURIBUS IMPAR.', and below: 'MAJORA MANENT'. The front of the box is inscribed 'IASPER CUNST LONDON'.

Jasper Cunst was one of the finest gold box-makers in London in the 18th century. This important box was made to contain the grant of the Freedom of the City of London to Admiral Vernon, the victor of Portobello, March 1740. The thanks of both Houses were voted to the Admiral and the Court of Common Council resolved to present him with the Freedom of the City in a gold box 'as a testimony of the greatest sense this city hath of his eminent services to the Nation by taking Porto-Bello and demolishing the fortifications thereof'.