Pewter Marine Box Decorated With Boats And Cornucopias. England Circa 1800.

Small octagonal cast pewter tea or tobacco tin, partially lacquered in green with traces of gilding in the hollows. Decorated with boats on the sides and sheaves of wheat surrounded by ribboned cornucopias; "FREE TRADE" written on the ribbons. The interlocking lid is topped by a stylized Baroque fleuron. The presence of boats indicates a marine object, while the wheat sheaves and horns of plenty symbolize prosperity. This box probably belonged to the captain of a merchant ship or to a shipowner. Green being the color of hope, it would be an auspicious hue for a profitable voyage without shipwreck. The choice of metal is not insignificant: pewter is an excellent food preservative, unlike bronze. Tea caddies of the period were made of pewter or wood lined with this metal, which is why we think it was a tea caddy rather than a tobacco caddy. This was not an economic choice, but a sanitary one. The object becomes much more precious. Its heavy weight and stability make it particularly suitable for on-board use. The motto "FREE TRADE" first appeared in documents from the late 16th century, then on ceramic vases dated 1748, but was more widely used in the late 18th century. It was a demand for a free market. This is a witness to an important page in the history of world trade. English work from the early 19th century or earlier.
11x10x8cm. Complete, no repairs, wear from use.