A George III Irish Provincial silver Freedom box

A George III Irish Provincial silver Freedom box,

maker's mark only, WR conjoined for William Reynolds, Cork, circa 1768,

rectangular form, oblong with bombé side, the cover with the arms and motto of Corke, and with foliate scroll decoration and with a basket of flowers, the base inscribed 'The Freedom of the City of Cork presented in this box to the Right Honourable Isaac Barré as a publk. testemony (sic) of his distinguished abilities and his constant attention in the british (sic) house of commons to the interest of his native country Ireland 13 Aug. 1768', gilded interior, (some damage to cover), length 8.5cm, approx. weight 5.3oz.

Provenance: Fine Silver, Bonhams, New Bond Street, 23rd July 2004, lot 210.

Bonhams footnote: 'Isaac Barré was a soldier and politician, born Dublin 1726, gazetted ensign 1746, rose under Woolf to Lt. Col., wounded in the cheek at Quebec, 1759. He sat in Parliament 1761-1790 and held office under Lord Bute, Pitt, Rockingham and Shelburne. He died 20th July, 1802.'