3-078-081 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Casket of Freedom of City of London presented to Mr. Stanley, 1890. 'The gold casket presented to Mr. H. M. Stanley, at Guildhall, on May 13, is arabesque in design. It stands on a base of Algerine onyx, surmounted by a plinth of ebony, the corners of which project and are rounded. At each angle stands an ostrich carved in ivory, over which projects an elephant's tusk, looped to three spears. The pillars are of crocodilite, resting in sockets of gold and surmounted by gold capitals. The panels and the roof are of ivory richly overlaid with ornamental work, in fine gold, and of various colours. The back panel bears the City arms emblazoned in proper heraldic colours. One of the end panels bears the tricoloured monogram "H. M. S." surrounded by a wreath, an emblem of victory; the other bears the monogram of the Lord Mayor of London. The front panel, which is also the door of the casket, displays a miniature map of Africa, over the tablet bearing the inscription. On the roof are the standards of America and Great Britain. Surmounting the whole, on an oval platform, is an allegorical figure of the Congo Free State, seated by the source of the river, and holding the horn of plenty...the manufacturers [were] Messrs. George Edward and Sons'. From "Illustrated London News", 1890.