Lot 2100

Description

Cocos (Keeling) Islands, sterling silver cigarette case, maker's mark 'C.C' inside rectangle' (Colen Hewer Cheshire of Birmingham), rectangular case (75x85mm) with concave base and decorated with leaf pattern, in the centre of the lid is a plain, ornamental section with monogram initials, 'GCR', inside on the lid is engraved, 'G.Clunies-Ross/Keeling Cocos Islands/1896.' Small dent on lid and monogram worn, otherwise fine and historic item.

George Clunies-Ross (Ross III) (1842-1910) ruled the Keeling Cocos Islands from 8 June 1871 to 7 July 1910, assuming the role of superintendent after the death of his father, John George Clunies-Ross. It was under his rule that the first annual inspection was made by a representative of the Straits Settlements Government in 1885 and one year later, Queen Victoria granted the islands in perpetuity to the Clunies-Ross family. During his rule, the islands were known as Keeling Cocos Islands and from 1916 the name Cocos (Keeling) Islands was attested and this name was made official by legislation in 1955.