An early 20^th century Indian Colonial unmarked silver presentation key, circa 1904

With chased ornate border, engraved with inscription “Ice Factory Deolai Depot erected by Messr H J Rustomjee & Co, Karachi & Bombay opened by Col. A. J. Whiteacre Allen, April 1904”, the obverse engraved with a crest of a talbot’s head erased per pale indented, above the motto Triumpho Morte Tam Vita and A Whiteacre Allen.

Length – 20.4 cm / 8 inches

Weight – 281 grams / 9.03 ozt

The crest and motto are for Allen

Alfred James Whitacre Allen (1857-1939), Brigadier-General (see lot 140 in this sale)

Allen, Alfred James Whitacre (C), b. 7 Nov., 1857, e. s. of Major Whitacre Allen, of Parkfield Lawn, Cheltenham. Lieut. 2nd Batt. 3rd Regt. 1876, Zulu War 1879 (medal with clasp), Soudan Expedition 1884-5, Nile (medal with clasp), Capt. on the Staff, Egypt 1884-5, Capt. 1st Batt. East Kent Regt. 1885, Staff College 1887, A.D.C.'to District Commander, Bengal 1889-90, Stn. Staff Officer, 1st Class, Bengal 1890-2, D.A.Q.M.G. (Intell.) Bengal 1892-5, Major 1895, N.W. Frontier Campaign 1897 with Terah Expeditionary Force, D.A.A. and Q.M.G. (despatches, medal and two clasps), Stn. Staff Officer, 1st Class, India 1898-9, D.A.A.G. India 1899-1900, A.A.G. India 1900-3, Lient.-Col. 1901, Brevet-Col. 1904 ; Commandant Deolali Depot since 1903.