A small and rare Georgian presentation naval rum barrel Brass bound oval teak coopered barrel of tapering form, with hinged lid, ornate brass strap hinges and catch, a pair of axehead handles to the sides. Beautifully detailed in miniature form and of the best quality.English, circa 1800-1830Probably made to be presented to the ship’s captain or mess. Full size grog barrels of this form were to be found on board ship to hold rum and was rationed out to the crew.''The nature of the work for seamen aboard ship, often boring, usually perilous, strenuous and difficult, and frequently extremely tense and nerve-wracking, demanded some form of relief. Perhaps the most common relief in the navy came from the rum ration aboard and the bottle ashore. From the earliest days of ocean sailing, wine and spirits were taken aboard ship to alleviate thirst, as alcoholic drinks did not spoil as did water in wooden casks. By the eighteenth century, rum and brandy were common aboard ship...