A close-up view of the lion’s head (previous picture). Also shown is 1870, the initials MP, and a coat of arms with six stars and a lion rampant. MP possibly stands for Melville Portal b.31.7.1819 d.24.1.1904. MP was elected Member of Parliament for North Hampshire in April 1849 – retired 1857. He was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire in December 1852. By 1863 he was a Justice of the Peace for the county when he also became High Sheriff of Hampshire. He lived at Laverstoke House.
By Tony Morris