An Irish silver freedom box, Aeneas Ryan, Dublin, 1805

rectangular with cut corners, the hinged cover engraved, on a shield in the manner of Thomas Bewick, with the Dublin city coat of arms, the hinge ornamented with laurel, the base with a lengthy inscription, gilt interior, fully marked inside lid and base and on side exterior

Some surface scratches commensurate with age, especially one to lid. one tiny dent to one side panel. Good condition otherwise, crisp engraving, clear hallmarks and nice gilt colour inside.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The inscription, in various scripts, reads:
Midsummer Assembly / 1804 / The Freedom of the City of / Dublin / Was Unanimously / Voted With This Box To / Sir James Chatterton Bar^t / Serjeant at Law to his / MAJESTY / In Token of the High Sense / Entertained of his Upright and / CONSTITUTIONAL CONDUCT / IN HIS JUDICIAL CAPACITY / and for the Loyalty & Affection / by him Constantly inculcated / AS JUDGE OF ASSIZE / TO HIS MAJESTY'S / Person and Government / [signed] Henry Hutton Lord Mayor / Joshua Pounden. / Mount^d Jn^o Hay. Sheriffs'

The Chatteron family had settled in Ireland during the reign of Elizabeth I. Sir James Chatterton (c. 1750-1806), 1st Bart. of Castle-Mahon, was the eldest son of Abraham Chatterton of Cork and his wife Martha Roche. He entered the Middle Temple in 1770 and was called to the Bar in 1774. Returning to Ireland he sat in the Irish House of Commons as Member for Baltimore in 1781 and then for Doneraile between 1783 and 1797. He had been appointed Third Irish Serjeant in 1791 and second Serjeant in 1793, a position he was to retain, with the Keepership of the Irish State Papers,  until his death. He was raised to the baronetcy in 1801, probably as a reward for his support of the Act of Union. 

Aeneas Ryan, of Skinner Row, Dublin, appears to have specialised in making silver boxes and cowrie shell snuff boxes mounted in silver. He is recorded as working in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.