Decorative arts — 1860
Casket, freedom box and case
The politician and Lancashire textile manufacturer Richard Cobden was a well-known campaigner for the repeal of the Corn Laws in the 19th century. Cobden first became involved in Manchester municipal politics in the 1830s and joined the Anti-Corn Law Association in 1838. He joined the national Anti-Corn Law League the following year and was elected as Liberal MP for Stockport in 1841.
Manufacturers like Cobden supported free trade and opposed aristocratic landowners' protectionism. Cobden helped negotiate a free trade agreement with France that abolished duties on most French imports. Cobden travelled to Paris in 1859 to negotiate with Napoleon III and the treaty was signed on 23 January 1860. That year the Corporation of London presented him this gold box and granted him the Freedom of the City in recognition of his achievements.
- Category:
- Decorative arts
- Object ID:
- 15760
- Object name:
- casket, freedom box and case
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- 1860
- Material:
wood, gold
- Measurements/duration:
- L 105 mm, W 80 mm, H 82 mm
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
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