Object Description
The oak barrel crafted during the 1700’s, features a hand-painted Royal coat of arms of England on a dark navy blue background.
Most likely used on a naval ship for gun powder or for serving grog (rum diluted with water and citrus fruits). The small barrel encircled with iron bands, is hand painted with the Royal coat of arms, a crowned golden lion (representing England) and a cream coloured unicorn with broken chains that symbolise freedom (representing Scotland), support a quartered shield painted in red, white, blue and gold. The first and fourth quarters feature the three lions of England on a red background, while the second quarter has the rampant lion of Scotland and the third has an angelic harp, symbolizing Ireland. A blue garter encircling the quarters garter with gold lettering that reads honi soit qui mal y pense (old French for “shame on anyone who thinks wrong”) surrounds the shield. There is a similar banner beneath the supporters that reads dieu et mon droit (old French for “god and my right”). A visored helmet rests on top of the shield and is in turn surmounted by a crowned lion.