A SILVER box with a very special Chester connection has gone on display at the city’s Grosvenor Museum.

The Monmouth Box, thought to have been made in London in 1620-21 by Thomas Jemson, passed through generations of the local Mainwaring family.

According to family tradition, it was gifted by James, Duke of Monmouth (1649-85), illegitimate son of King Charles II, to Henrietta Mainwaring (1682-88), the youngest daughter of George Mainwaring (1642-95) - Mayor of Chester (1681-82) and later MP for Chester (1689-90).

The Monmouth Box has now been placed on long-term loan to the museum by Chester-based Tyrer Charitable Trust.

Councillor Richard Short, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Portfolio Holder for Culture and Recreation, said: “We are immensely grateful to the Tyrer Charitable Trust for the loan of the Monmouth Box, which adds a uniquely fascinating object to the display of the museum’s nationally important collection of silver.”

On a tour of Worcestershire, Staffordshire and Cheshire, the Duke of Monmouth stayed with the mayor at his house in Watergate Street on September 9, 1682.

He became godfather to the mayor’s newborn daughter at a service in the cathedral the following day, with the baby being named after his grandmother, Queen Henrietta Maria.

Two days later, having won a horse race at Wallasey, the duke gifted his winnings - including the silver box - to his godchild.

The box’s cover is shaped as a scallop shell with alternate plain and finely engraved bands, opening to reveal two compartments.

A small, hinged shell-shaped clasp is attached to the front of the cover and the box stands on four shell feet.

Approximately 20 shell-shaped English silver boxes survive, dating from the late 16th and early 17th Centuries. They held sugar for sweetening wine, and were designed to be admired when drinking in convivial company.

Clive Pointon, a trustee of the Tyrer Charitable Trust, said: “As a Chester-based trust, we are delighted to have been able to help our local museum to bring home this very special piece of the city’s history.”

Admission to the Grosvenor Museum is free. The museum is open Monday - Saturday, 10.30am-5pm and Sunday 1-4pm.