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A scarce Scottish George III memoriam ring marked IG, struck three times, the simple shank with double enamelled borders inscribed 'Mrs Baillie of Polkemmet. OB.'10' apr 1799: AE'48'. 'Lord Polkemmet.OB.' 14 MAR. 1816: AE'79' and two domed glass covered lockets of hair Notes: William Baillie of Polkemmet was the son of Thomas Baillie of Polkemmet and Isabel Walker. He married, firstly, Margaret Colquhoun, daughter of Sir James Colquhoun of Luss, 1st Bt. on 3 December 1768.1 He married, secondly to Janet Sinclair, daughter of George Sinclair, on 15 April 1803. The 'Mrs Baillie of Polkemmet' inscribed to this ring must therefore be his second wife. William Baillie of Polkemmet was admitted as Advocate in 1758. He was known as Lord Polkemmet [Law Lord] on 14 November 1793. He held the office of Lord of Session between 14 November 1793 and 1811. References: biographical entry in the 'Dictionary of National Biography'
An eighteenth century Jacobite secret service ring the oval cabochon emerald in a simple collet mount with open work to shoulders and simple shank, the reverse of the closed back setting engraved CR / III / 1766 Provenance: Property of a Gentleman, bought from a private Museum in the Montrose area where believed to have been sourced locally. Notes: The significance of this unassuming item of eighteenth century jewellery is far greater than is appears. Once defeated by the English troops in 1746 after the battle of Culloden, Prince Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) fled to the safe haven of France to reunite with his father where he and a large proportion of the Scottish population still considered him the rightful heir to the Scottish throne. Even after this final defeat at Culloden, Charles and his father James for many years still held hopes to overthrow the English rule of Scotland and planned for another attack on the throne to claim back their rightful place in Scotland. These plans were not helped by the outlawing of Scottish traditions by the victorious English monarch and the fact that the reprisals for supporting the Jacobite cause included death. The population which backed Prince Charles had to find other ways to show their support in secret and this is where the wealth of poetry and songwriting blooms, the common factor in all writings is the fact that neither James nor Charles' names were ever uttered but the significance was not lost to the supporters. This theme carried on to the applied arts in crafts such as silver, carvings, glass and jewellery. This ring was used as a 'signature' when travelling with correspondence from Charles. No document could carry a signature or seal as if the bearer was found in possession of such marked papers by government troops he would almost certainly have been sentenced to death. Therefore this ring would accompany the messenger to show they had originated from Charles and were considered an official document. This Jacobite secret service provided an invaluable service to Charles who had to keep all his loyal supporters abreast of his plans and movements. The cipher of CR III 1766 is also important as this is the year that Charles's father James dies in France and Charles now considers himself the rightful King of Scotland and gives himself the title King Charles III, rather than Prince of Wales which even in exile he still used.
A George V cased medallion unmarked, of shaped oval outline with central shield engraved 'Presented by Ex Provost Simpson to (un-issued) for Best Turn Out' with red enamel border, the outer garter border inscribed 'THE RIDINGS OF THE MARCHES 1919', surmounted by the Musselburgh coat of arms with crown above including suspension ring, in original fitted case 8.5cm tall (including suspension)
Tain - a Scottish provincial fancy back masking spoon by Hugh Ross I of Tain circa 1750, marked HR conjoined (within oval punch), the centre section of the stem with intricate scroll work section, with cylindrical top section, scroll and urn type finial, the long oval bowl with applied leaf eminating from heel 19.5cm long 20g Notes: For an almost identical example by the same maker with the same marks see Bonhams Fine Silver and Vertu, New Bond Street 29th November 2002 lot 239 (piece illustrated). While this spoon is a rather and unusual pattern for Scottish silver and in particular provincial manufacture it should be carefully placed within the body of work known for Hugh Ross of Tain. While the examples of his work extant are normally flatware, most of which is high quality, it should also be noted he is the maker of some very choice and unusual pieces. Because of the varied and interesting surviving work, he could really be considered one of the finest provincial silversmiths of his day. Unusual examples of his work do still survive, see the dish ring from the 'David Morris Collection' Christie's, July 3rd 1983 lot 62, this is now in the collection of the National Museums of Scotland. A small number of Scottish Fiddle pattern teaspoons are also known from a similar period to this example with the same HR conjoined maker's mark struck to the stem. Reference: For an illustration of these spoons and this maker see 'A Balance of Silver - The story of the silversmith of Tain' E Quick.
Inverness - a Scottish provincial annular plaid brooch by Charles Jamieson of Inverness, circa 1797, marked CJ, INS, dromedary, C.J (on it's side) of conventional form with integral hinged pin, the engraved border and design of diamond and ring decoration, engraved to reverse with original owner's initials DM*KF 10cm diameter 2.5oz Notes: This is a particularly clear and boldly struck set of Charles Jameison's earliest set of marks and is unusual to find such a nice dromedary mark by the maker.
An early Victorian golfing medal by James Nasmyth, Edinburgh 1839-1840, of shield shaped outline with gilt scrolling leaf and flower head border, with integral suspension loop, the central panel engraved to the obverse 'KINGSBARNS / Golf Club' above two crossed clubs with the motto 'FAR and SURE' within a foliate banner below, the reverse engraved 'Presented by the Bachelors of the Society Gained by Mr William Clark 1840. John Clark 1841.1842', contained within a fitted maroon leather case 7.6cm high including suspension ring, 1.3oz Note: This 'gold' medal for Kingsbarns Golfing Society is one of three early medals known for the society, the other two examples are in the Harry B Wood collection. All three medals were made by the same firm of Edinburgh goldsmiths who were at the time one of the few makers who specialised in medals among other areas of the trade. The nomenclature as a 'gold' medal is only due to its nature as first prize and not as the metal of manufacture, solid gold medals of this time are not recorded and the laurel leaf border in gilt or gold would have sufficed to denote first place. The Kingsbarns Golfing Society's history is one not well recorded or known, the fullest detailed information is written by Mr. W Dalrymple of Leven, Fife and was printed in 'Golf Illustrated' 1908, a transcription covering the Society and prizes are printed in part below: 'There is a considerable mystery even in the date of the birth of this venerable Fife golf club, which formally wound up its own affairs and went to sleep so long ago in 1851, before the majority of modern clubs has sprung into being at all. The first minute is dated May 2nd. 1835, but one of August 3rd 1849 points to a belief in a far earlier origin. The earlier of the two medals depicted with this article points to 1823 whilst a minute of the neighbouring Crail Golfing Society of September 4th 1793 speaks of the Kingsbarns as in full life with recognised uniform of its own. The very first minute, May 2nd 1835 corroborates this existence of an already flourishing society, and deals with the probable expense of a silver frame for the "the punch bowl". On June 1st 1839 another medal is ordered: on May 2nd, 1840 a 'gold' one is presented by the Bachelors of the Society' - This is the earliest record of the existence of the medal offered here, and until this point was thought lost. 'On December 10th 1844 we find that a terrible catastrophe has befallen these hapless golfers: Duncan the tenant farmer has carried out his threat of ploughing up the links, but the society, with the providential aid of the trustees and the Cambo estate seem to have been able to pull through somehow. But the end is approaching all too swiftly. Their trusted secretary of 32 years resigns in 1846, and by August 3rd 1849, it is formally decided to suspend operations of the Society. The following is not without pathos "in retracing the past, none can fail to bear upon their remembrance the many happy meetings that have been held, only one of the original members has his name remaining on the roll - The Chaplain. Many of its members have passed the Bourne "where [sic]" no traveller returned. Much kindly intercourse has been maintained and not a few deeds of charity done. In case of its revival at any future time under more favourable auspices, it was resolved that the meetings forthwith be adjourned sine die, that the box containing the records and medals (which shall be called in from the different holders) remain in the house of Captain Corstorphine of Pittourie at Kingsbarns, and that a committee be appointed to inspect the books, ascertain the state of the debts, and notify the different members the sums due by each, and the persons to whom they are indebted. References: 'Golf Illustrated' 30th October 1908, 'Golfing Curios and the Like' Harry B Wood, 1910 plate XXVII

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