Jewellery, Watches, Silver & Objects of Vertu

A George III 18ct gold snuff box, of rectangular form with rounded corners, engine-turned decoration throughout, with chased scrolling foliate thumbpiece, the hinged lid engraved with presentation inscription to Henry B. Baring, by Alexander J. Strachan, London 1818, dimensions 9.1 x 3.6cm. £4,000-£6,000

The presentation inscription reads:
‘TO HENRY B BARING Esq.r
Candidate for the Representation of the City of Canterbury
in Parliament
THIS BOX is most respectfully presented by a few of his friends as a token of their regard for his
manly conduct and independent principles.
CANTERBURY AUGUST 1830’.


Henry Bingham Baring (1804-1869) was the first son of Henry Baring (1877-1848), the British banker and politician, and his first wife Maria Matilda, daughter of William Bingham of Philadelphia, USA.
Baring embarked on a military career, obtaining a commission as major in the Army and captain in the Life Guards in 1822.
In 1830 Baring stood as a candidate for the parliamentary by-election in Canterbury. Stephen Rumbold Lushington, the MP for Canterbury since 1820, had been appointed Governor of Madras in the East India Company in 1827, resulting in his continual absence from his constituency. Baring supported the considerable opposition from electors to Lushington standing for re-election, and he was instrumental in Lushington standing down his candidacy. This 18ct gold box was a gift to Baring from loyal supporters.
Baring himself was unsuccessful in the 1830 election, failing to gain a majority, the seat going to the Hon. Richard Watson.