Arthur, Duke of Wellington, a circular commemorative box, 19th century

The circular base metal box [copper or brass] measures 50mm in diameter and has a total depth of 10mm. The lid, which screws off from the base, has a left facing bust length portrait of the Iron Duke in dress uniform [his medals and orders much better executed than on the smaller copper boxes] with the wording ARTHUR DUKE OF WELLINGTON and the maker’s name beneath the bust ALLEN & MOORE, BIRMM. The base has a central sarcophagus with the lettering WELLINGTON BORN MAY 1 1769 DIED SEPR 14 1852 . In the exergue beneath the Waterloo lion is the wording WATERLOO JUNE 18 1815 and around the image is the legend BRITANNIA MOURNS HER HERO NOW AT REST.          aug1/1

The hero of countless battles in India and the Peninsula before his final triumph at Waterloo the Duke was later Prime Minister. He died at night asleep in his favourite chair at Walmer Castle in Kent, his residence as Warden of the Cinque Ports.