Silver freedom box presented to Captain Sir George Back (1796-1878) Arctic explorer.
The box has a relief view on the lid, a gilt interior, engine turned sides, and an inscription on the base. The view on the lid is a large country house in a wooded landscape with a figure in the foreground.
Inscribed on the base: 'PRESENTED BY THE Master, Pilots and Seamen of the Trinity House OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE WITH THE FREEDOM OF THEIR CORPORATION INCLOSED TO Captain Sir George Back R.N. AS A TESTIMONY OF THEIR HIGH APPROBATION OF THE PERSEVERING & SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS IN THE CAUSE OF SCIENCE & HUMANITY DISPLAYED BY HIM IN HIS VARIOUS EXPEDITIONS TO THE POLAR SEAS, 27 August 1838'.
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Royal United Service Institution Collection