Diameter: 17.8cm (7in)
Silver. Of circular form the hinged cover engraved with the Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom, as used between 1801 and 1816 by George III. Plain interior. Maker’s mark of William Troby. Hallmarked London 1815. Later fitted for an inkstand.
Seal cases or skippets of this type were made to house the wax impression of the Great Seal of the United Kingdom, giving the act, writ, decree or grant to which it was attached the authority of the Sovereign. A William IV example in the Royal collection is described as having been converted for use as an inkstand for the King. Similarly, another Royal Seal box, also converted for use as an inkstand, was given by George V and Queen Alexandra to the Marquis of Crewe in 1913.
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Royal Arms of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Hanover, and Brunswick (1801–1816). Quarterly: 1st & 4th, Plantagenet (England); 2nd, Stuart (Scotland); 3rd, Ireland; overall an inescutcheon of the Elector of Hanover. The Acts of Union 1800 united the Kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland. At the same time, King George III abandoned his ancestors' ancient claim to the French throne (since the French monarchy had been deposed). The Royal Arms changed, with England now occupying the first and fourth quarters, Scotland the second, Ireland the third. The Royal Arms used in Scotland has Scotland occupying the first and fourth quarters, England the second, Ireland the third. For the Electorate of Hanover, there is an inescutcheon surmounted by the electoral bonnet. The Arms of Hanover were similar, but lacked the electoral bonnet.