A LATE 19TH CENTURY STERLING SILVER GILT PRESENATION SNUFF BOX, MAPPIN & WEBB, C.1891

A LATE 19TH CENTURY STERLING SILVER GILT PRESENATION SNUFF BOX, MAPPIN & WEBB, C.1891

the large Antique mid 19th Victorian solid silver gilt presentation snuff box of very impressive size and heavy gauge, cover chased in high relief depicting a naval battle scene, with a pronounced clover boarders to the lid and front with a naval crest. Hallmarked English silver (925 standard), London, year 1891 (Q), Maker's mark J.N.M (Mappin & Webb - John Newton Mappin).

Inside the lid engraved 'Presented to the Officers 18th Royal Irish by Major General D'Aguilar. C.B.
In rememberance of many happy days spent with the regiment when serving under his command in the opperation up the Canton River 1847.'

n Great Condition - No Damage.
Height: 4.5cm
Width: 16.5 x 10.5cm
Weight: 695g

The Expedition to Canton was a British punitive expedition that captured the forts along the Pearl River, Guangdong province, China, on 2–3 April 1847. Beginning at the Humen Strait (Bogue), the British captured the forts leading up to the city of Canton (Guangzhou). The operation was in response to British subjects being attacked by the Chinese near Canton. Hong Kong Governor John Davis demanded redress from Chinese Commissioner Keying.

Unsatisfied with his reply, Davis ordered Major-General George D'Aguilar, the commander-in-chief of British forces in China, to seize the forts approaching Canton and to prepare for an attack on the city to force reparations on the spot.The forts were captured, but Canton was spared after Keying agreed to punish the culprits and to allow entry into the city.

The Royal Irish regiment also saw action at the Battle of Alexandria in March 1801. The 1st Battalion served in Jamaica and the 2nd Battalion served in Curaçao during the Napoleonic Wars.

On 19 November 1807, 120 members of the 18th Regiment of Foot were drowned when HM Packet Ship Prince of Wales sank in Dublin Bay. They were buried at Merrion Cemetery, Bellevue. During the First Opium War in China, the regiment next saw action at the Capture of Chusan in July 1840, the forementioned Battle of Canton in May 1841, Battle of Amoy in August 1841, Second Capture of Chusan in October 1841, Battle of Ningpo in March 1842,bBattle of Tzeki in March 1842, Battle of Chapu in May 1842, Battle of Woosung in June 1842, and Battle of Chinkiang in July 1842. It took part in the Siege of Sevastopol during the Crimean War; Captain Thomas Esmonde was awarded the Victoria Cross for saving a party of colleagues from a fire of shell and grape. The regiment also took part in the Second Anglo-Afghan War.