There are 2475480 lots that match your search criteria. Subscribe now to get instant access to the full price guide service.
Click here to subscribeA collection of silver, comprising a cigarette box, with cedar lining, bearing monogram 'WCE' to its lid, rubbed hallmarks, 14 by 8.7 by 5cm high, a christening tankard engraved 'Henry', hallmarks obscured, 8.5 by 7 by 7.5cm high, an Edwardian small sauce boat, Boardman, Glossop & Co Ltd. Birmingham 1903, 11 by 5.5 by 7cm high, together with a silver handled walking cane, rubbed hallmarks, 89cm long, 3.6toz of weighable silver. (4)
Two George V silver cigarette boxes, the largest with the Oundle school insignia and motto to its lid, also inscribed with initials 'J.A.H-W.' to its front, cedar wood lined interior, Cohen & Charles, Chester 1924, 14.4toz gross, 14.5 by 9.5 by 5cm high, together with an Art Deco style cigarette case with engine turned decoration to its lid, Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co Ltd. London 1933, 11toz gross, 12.5 by 9 by 4.5cm high. (2)
A Victorian silver 'castle top' cigar case, by Nathaniel Mills, with repoussé embossed castle images of Windsor Castle & Kenilworth Castle, between foliate and floral decoration, the hinged cover presentation engraved to a cartouche 'Joseph Richardson from his friend E. A. Blackett, 1847', surrounded by further foliate decoration, with purple velvet lining, Nathaniel Mills, Birmingham 1844, 3.09toz gross, 12.5 by 6.2 by 2.8cm.
A mixed group of costume and silver jewellery, including a 9ct gold cross shaped earring, a 9ct gold trace link chain with CZ/white stone solitaire pendant, five 22" trace link silver chains, still in original packaging, various Albert fob chains, bracelets, coin holders, charms, pendants, brooches, and two gold plated Art Deco watch heads. (1 bag)
A group of Edwardian and later silver pepper pots and salts, including a pair of pepper pots, possibly Elkington & Co Ltd. Birmingham 1922, 7.5cm high, Barker a squat pepper pot with blue glass liner, Brothers Silver Ltd. Birmingham 1930, 5.5cm high, another pepper pot with blue glass insert possibly William Aitken, Birmingham 1907, 6.5cm high, two salts of pentafoil form, Vale Brothers & Sermon, Chester indistinct date marks, together with a pair of of Sterling silver mounted shot glasses with clear glass inserts, 6toz overall of silver, as well as a continental, 800 grade silver small milk jug, 1.4toz, and two small pieces of white metal. (1 bag)
A collection of Victorian and later coinage, including a Victorian two shilling coin, a Royal Mint ERII silver proof Solomon Islands ten dollar coin, a collection of pre-1947 George V and George VI two shillings, shillings, Florins, sixpences, 7.6toz of silver, together with a 1948 East Africa shilling, three packs of Britain's First Decimal Coin sets, ERII commemorative crowns. (1 box)
An Edward VII silver card case or purse by Sampson Mordan, the front with embossed with two putti in a garden, press clasp opening to reveal the fitted interior lined with tan leather, pencil holder with replacement pencil, several pouches, and an ivory slip, Sampson Mordan & Co, London 1903, 4.5toz gross, 10.5 by 7.1 by 1.4cm, all in fitted, green velvet lined, dark green leather case, 13.8 by 10.5 by 3.2cm.
A group of brooches, including a 9ct gold bi-coloured brooch in the form of a dolphin, 2.3g, a hawk's foot brooch set with a cairngorm, and a silver kilt pin in the form of a sword, as well as a number of costume brooches, together with two bangles and two silver and amber pendants on a silver chain. (1 bag)
A MACLAGAN FAMILY DESK SEAL AN EARLY 19TH-CENTURY TREEN AND SILVER MOUNTED DESK SEAL the wooden handle formed as an arm clutching a boot in its hand, to a silver collar and matrix, the circular matrix with engraved crest and mottoDimensions:Length: 7cm, matrix diameter: 22mmNote: Heraldry:Crest: Out of ducal coronet, an ounce or beaver's head properMotto: PRINCIPIIS OBST The motto is recorded for three families, of whom only one uses a similar crest, Maclagan of Edinburgh
AN EARLY VICTORIAN EDINBURGH POLICE COMBINATION SILVER MOUNTED TIPSTAFF AND SEAL, CIRCA 1840 the simple ebony cylindrical shaft with reeded mount to centre, with socket mounted pommel caps the upper with VR cypher with Royal crown above, the upper flat engraved with a seal of the city arms flanked by thistles and Edinburgh Police above, the lower mount engraved SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS & BUILDINGS OF EDINBURGH POLICEDimensions:Length: 12.7cm, matrix 20mm diameterProvenance:Provenance: Matrix: A Collection of British Seals - David Morris 2012- Seal 27, Pg 71Note: Note:Tipstaves were carried by police officers from the late eighteenth century onwards as a badge of office, the forerunner of the modern warrant card. Originally the shaft was hollow to contain the document of authority.The Edinburgh Police Act of 1805 replaced the old constabulary police system throughout the city, some 24 years before Sir Robert Peel founded the Metropolitan Police in London and brought in with it a uniform. The Edinburgh Police Force was administered until 1865 by a Police commission, and not by the town council. The rank of Lieutenant, used from 1812 in Scotland, came above inspector and below assistant superintendent, being roughly equivalent to an English chief inspector.It would appear that specific historic areas have used Tipstaffs for centuries to denote positions of authority but they do not typically combine a seal matrix.While having the appropriate armorial or royal cipher is common to the end mount caps these two examples are among a very small number, if not the only, examples recorded with a seal matrix.
A 19TH-CENTURY SILVER-MOUNTED AGATE DESK SEAL the agate handle of facetted form, to a silver mounted collar with engraved foliate and floral decoration, the agate matrix, of possible Sassanian (6th-2nd BC) origin, of oval outline with an engraved depiction of a stag walking with spread antlers below a crescent moon within a linear border, a probable reference to the Classical mythology Diana the HuntressDimensions:Length: 10cm, matrix: 30mm x 26mm
THE CHISHOLM SILVER DESK SEAL A LARGE MID-VICTORIAN SILVER DESK SEAL, CIRCA 1870 the naturalistic vine leaves trailing around an architectural column forming the handle, the domed integral matrix with scroll foliate mount, the matrix engraved with arms and supportersDimensions:Length: 75mm, matrix: 45mm diameterNote: Heraldry:Arms: Gules a boar’s head erased argentCrest: A dexter hand holding a dagger erect proper on the point a boar’s head couped gulesSupporters: Two savages wreathed head and middle with laurel with clubs over their shoulders properMottos:(above the crest) Feros ferio [I strike the fierce](below the arms) Vi aut virtute [By strength and valour]
ABERDEEN - A SCOTTISH PROVINCIAL DESK SEAL A MID-18TH-CENTURY WOODEN AND SILVER DESK SEAL the wooden baluster handle with flat terminal, to a silver mounted collar marked ABD, the integral matrix engraved with the armorial, possibly for the Houston familyDimensions:Length: 52mm, matrix: 20mm x 13mmProvenance:Provenance:‘Silver, The Aberdeen Story’, Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums 2012, item 192, catalogue page 169Matrix: A Collection of British Seals - David Morris 2012- seal 25, page 68Note: Note:This fine mid-18th-century desk seal appears to be the earliest marked Aberdeen example. Frustratingly, with only the town mark, ascribing a maker is virtually impossible. The quality of the silver mount and finely engraved armorial, coupled with the status of the client who commissioned the piece, shows its original importance. This type of client would likely have frequented only the most respected Aberdeen makers. Looking at the style and shape of the town punch, it does seem likely it belonged to either Coline Allan or one of his contemporaries, such as George Robertson.
ABERDEEN - A SCOTTISH PROVINCIAL FOB SEAL - MASONIC INTEREST A LATE 19TH-CENTURY GOLD MOUNTED SMOKEY QUARTZ FOB SEAL marked J.C. ABDN for James Crichton, or James Carr the oval facetted smoky quartz matrix with monogrammed initials in collet mount with pierced and engraved Masonic square and compass suspensionDimensions:Length: 30mm, matrix: 25mm x 14mmNote: Note:For discussion on the confusion between these two makers and their connection to the J.C. makers mark, see Silver, The Aberdeen Story, Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museum, page 162
A SCOTT FAMILY DESK SEAL A LATE 19TH-CENTURY SILVER MOUNTED, AGATE AND CITRINE DESK SEAL the facetted agate handle with domed terminal, to a silver mounted collar formed as a thistle to four arms, the oval-shaped, cairngorm citrine matrix engraved with the arms of the Scott familyDimensions:Length: 78mm, matrix: 18mm x 15mmNote: Note:The arms of those of Scott. The family descends from Sir Walter Scott (15 August 1771 – 21 September 1832) ancestor of the Dukes of Buccleuch.These arms were granted in 1864 to Dr. John Scott of Cavendish Square London (1817-1890).His son John Edward, became a trustee of the National Gallery and Wallace Collection and was created a Baronet of Castle House, Lisburn County Antrim 1899 and KCB in 1908.The seal shows no sign of rank and must date after 1864 and before 1899, so most probably for Dr. Scott.
DUKE OF BUCCLEUCH AND QUEENSBERRY FOB SEAL AN EARLY VICTORIAN SILVER AND CARNELIAN FOB SEAL, CIRCA 1845 the simple silver seal mounted in silver with reeded suspension loop, the rectangular carnelian matrix with arms of Scott with Marquis coronet aboveDimensions:Length: 25mm, matrix; 14mm x 20mmNote: Heraldry:The Arms of Scott, Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry Arms: Or on a bend azure a mullet of six points between two crescents of the field The arms appear to be ensigned with a coronet of a marquess/marquis in error whereas it should be the coronet of a Duke.Supporters: Two female figures habited from the waist downwards in blue kirtles gathered up at the knees the arms and bosoms uncovered around the shoulders flowing mantles vert suspended by the exterior hand girdles and sandals gules and their heads adorned with a plume of three ostrich feathers argentWalter Francis Montagu Douglas Scott, the 5th Duke of Buccleuch and 7th Duke of Queensberry (born 25th November 1806 died 16th April 1884).Walter was the fifth child of seven, and second son of Charles Montagu-Scott, the 4th Duke of Buccleuch and 6th Duke of Queensberry and his wife, The Honourable Harriet Katherine Townshend, the youngest daughter of Thomas Townshend, the 1st Viscount Sydney and his wife, Elizabeth Powys. Walter when Earl of Dalkeith, he succeeded his father as to the Dukedoms of Buccleuch and Queensberry on the 20th April 1819 when aged thirteen.He married Lady Charlotte Anne Thynne, the youngest daughter of Thomas Thynne, the 2nd Marquess of Bath and his wife, The Honourable Isabella Elizabeth Byng, the daughter of George Byng, the 4th Viscount Torrington and his wife, Lady Lucy Boyle at the Parish Church of St George, Hanover Square, Westminster in the County of Middlesex on the 13th August 1829. He was educated at Eton College and at St John’s College, Cambridge.In the House of Lords, the duke sat on the Conservative benches and was appointed as a Member of Her Majesty’s Privy Council in 1842. He served as the Lord Privy Seal from 1842 to 1846 and as the Lord President of the Council from January to July 1846 in Sir Robert Peel’s administration. The duke was appointed the Colonel of the Edinburgh Militia on the 6th January 1842 and he was further appointed an Aide-de-Camp to Queen Victoria for the militia on the 19th March 1857. He was appointed as a Knight of the Garter in 1835.Walter had also been elected as a Fellow of The Royal Society in June 1883 and became the Chancellor of the University of Glasgow in 1878, an office which he held until his death in 1884. As an aside, the Duke also enjoyed playing cricket so much,that he played in at least two first-class cricket matches for Marylebone Cricket Club.
A BARON'S DESK SEAL AN EARLY 20TH-CENTURY GEM-SET AND ROSE QUARTZ DESK SEAL the rose-quartz handle of simple form with a domed terminal, the collar set with three foil-backed amethyst cabochons, the integral silver matrix engraved with a Baron's coronet above the initial BDimensions:Length: 48mm, matrix diameter: 32mm
THE HENRY ALEXANDER (1664-1739), 5TH EARL OF STIRLING DESK SEAL A LATE 17TH-CENTURY BOXWOOD AND SILVER DESK SEAL, CIRCA 1685 the turned baluster boxwood handle indistinctly written on in ink noting original ownership, socket set with silver collar and oval matrix with engraved armorial Dimensions:Length: 97mm, matrix: 30mm x 25mmNote: Note:It would appear this seal originally belonged to Henry Alexander, eldest son of the 4th Earl of Stirling. He was Viscount Canada from 1664 until succeeding his father in 1691. Stylistically, it would seem likely this seal was made on him reaching his majority in 1685.Eldest son of Henry Alexander (1633-91) 4th Earl of Stirling, and his first wife Judith (b.1664), he was educated at Eton and resided primarily at his house in Binfield but held his Scottish roots by frequently voting as a Scottish representative peer. He was retired and granted a pension of £200 a year by 1733. On his death, the peerage became dormant, and his property was distributed between his cousin and nephews.
ROBERT WHITE (1802-1886) PERSONAL DESK SEAL A MID-VICTORIAN GRANITE, SILVER AND CARNELIAN DESK SEAL, CIRCA 1869 the baluster pink granite handle with fluted domed terminal enclosing a rectangular matrix engraved with armorial and motto Dimensions:Length: 85mm, matrix: 21mm x 18mmNote: Heraldry:Arms: Argent a lion passant guardant gules imperially crowned proper between three quatrefoils sable on a chief engrailed of the last a martlet of the firstCrest: A demi-angel properMotto: Pur sans peur Note:Robert White (born 16th August 1802 died, 9th June 1886), of 23 Drummond Place, Edinburgh. Robert was the second surviving son of Adam White of Fens in the County of Roxburghshire and his wife, Catherine Ogilvy. He was by profession a Writer to the Signet having been admitted to the Society of Writers to the Signet on the 13th December 1827. Robert married Anne Reid Fogo (born 9th September 1823 died 23rd October 1905), the daughter of Thomas Macmillan Fogo, MD and his wife Anne Scott at the Parish Church of St Mary and St George, Edinburgh, aforesaid on 3rd June 1852.Robert petitioned the Lyon Court for matriculation of arms which was dated 2nd April 1869 [Lyon Register Volume 8, Page 31].
THE CLAN MENZIES DESK SEAL A VICTORIAN LABURNUM, SILVER AND AGATE DESK SEAL, CIRCA 1870s the laburnum handle of baluster form, to a simple threaded silver mounted collar, the oval matrix with the arms of MenziesDimensions:Length: 95mm, matrix: 26mm by 24mmNote: Note:Given the suspected age of this seal, it was probably in the possession of two successive chiefs of the clan Menzies, namely Sir Robert Menzies in the county of Perthshire (1817 to 1903), the seventh Baronet of Menzies or his son, Sir Neal James Menzies, the eight and last Baronet of Menzies (1855 to 1911)The baronetcy fell into extinction on his death for want of a male heir. The clan is said to have descended from a mythical 'Scottish' King Mainus of 33BC, but is perhaps ill-founded and the clan arrived in Scotland following the 12th century Norman arrival and are descended from Robert de Maineriis of Mesnieres near Rouen in Normandy.The first chief was Sir Robert de Meyneris, who became Chamberlain to King Alexander II in 1249 and received lands in exchange for his military service. It was in 1488 that his descendant Sir Robert Menzies built 'The Place of Weem', and maintained their stronghold in Strathtay for over four hundred years. They managed to maintain their standing and possessions until the estates, the Castle, and its contents were auctioned off to pay outstanding debts in 1914. With the extinction of the main line the Clan was left without a Chief on the death of Sir Neil Menzies in 1910.In 1957 the descendants of the cousin of the first Baronet were successful in petitioning Lord Lyon King of Arms to be recognised as being allowed to use the arms of Menzies. The current Chief is Captain David Steuart Menzies of Menzies.
A CROCKETT OF SCOTLAND FAMILY DESK SEAL A LATE 19TH-CENTURY BANDED AGATE AND BLOODSTONE SEAL the facetted brown banded agate, of baluster form, to a chased silver mounted collar with four acanthus scroll arms, the bloodstone matrix engraved with the crest and motto HAVE A CARE, presented in a fitted case, the base stamped for 'BURGER-LEVEQUE/ Graveur/ 64 PALAIS ROYAL 3Dimensions:Length: 81mm, matrix: 22mm x 17mmNote: Note:Attributed to a branch of the Scottish family Crockett, who use a variety of mottos including TAK'TENT, TAKE HEED, TAKE CARE, in connection with either a sleeping or walking hound. A Chinese export armorial porcelain dinner service with the motto TAKE HEED with a hound crest made in circa 1785 is recorded for the family
A SCOTT-TOLLEMACHE FAMILY DESK SEAL A MID / LATE 19TH-CENTURY SILVER-GILT DESK SEAL the flared cast handle with high-relief depictions of soldiers in battle with a rope twist border, the circular matrix engraved with the arms of Scott impaling TollemacheDimensions:Length: 77mm, matrix diameter: 20mmProvenance:Provenance:Matrix: A Collection of British Seals - David Morris 2012 - Seal 28, page 72Note: Note:The seal was made for Charles Norman Lindsay Tollemache Scott, JP for the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright and JP for LeicestershireBorn in 1853, the eldest son of John Lindsay Scott of Mollance, he married in 1882, Lady Agnes Tollemache, daughter of the 8th Earl of Dysart. Their only daughter, Wenefryde Agatha succeeded her uncle, the 9th Earl of Dysart as Countess Dysart in her own right in 1935, it being a Scottish title and heritable in females. The baronetcy and the entailed estates went to a cousin, Sir Lyonel Tollemache.
Y THE EDMONSTONE FAMILY DESK SEAL A SILVER MOUNTED TOOTH DESK SEAL, BY ASPREY & CO, LONDON 1930 the tooth with an applied silver collar, with pierced sides, the integral oval seal with an engraved crest above a heraldic shield, engraved to the sides NGAMILAND 15 SEPT 1929Dimensions:Length: 10cm, matrix: 30mm x 25mmNote: Note:CITES STATUS: African Lion Panthera leo - CITES Appendix II - Annex B (Added 02/01/2017) [Only the populations of India are CITES Appendix I (26/11/2019); all other populations are included in Appendix II] - Article 10 Exempt as a worked specimen in a finished state before 3 March 1947This specimen has been carved and fitted inside this desk seal that is clearly hallmarked and dated to 1929 with the location of Ngamiland (a North-West district area of Botswana). The only big cat species large enough for this specimen to have come from is either a lion or a tiger. All species of tiger's population range were on another continent from Ngamiland in the 1920s as were all populations of the Asiatic Lion, therefore this specimen could only have come from an African Lion. Following the CoP17 summit in Johannesburg in 2017 the trade in lion parts including bones, skins, teeth to trophy heads were banned from current wild populations but historic specimens appear to still be subject to the same jurisdiction as other specimens from Appendix II species. An Article 10 Certificate is not required to own or trade in specimens of species listed on Annex B of the CITES regulations.
AN EARLY 19TH-CENTURY MOTHER OF PEARL AND SILVER DESK SEAL CIRCA 1830 the mother of pearl handle, likely French or Italian, of flattened form with foliate carved details and pommel, the silver matrix with chased Rococo foliate scrolls, engraved with arms of Stewart quartering ComynDimensions:Length: 89mm, matrix: 22mm x 17mmNote: Note:The arms are for a cadet branch of the Stewart’s of Garth, Perthshire, Scotland. Originally descended from James illegitimate son of Alexander Stewart, 4th son of King Robert II of Scotland, most commonly recognised as Earl Buchan in 1382, and known as the Wolf of Badenoch
A SCOTTISH MATHIESON FAMILY DESK SEAL AN EDWARDIAN SILVER GILT AND HARDSTONE SEAL, BY GEORGE PAUL, EDINBURGH 1908 the tapered silver-gilt handle profusely engraved with scroll and foliate detail, collet set with various gemstones to the terminal and inset with diamond-shaped hardstones to the stem, to a domed collar, the silver-gilt matrix with engraved crestDimensions:Length: 85mm, matrix: 21mm x 19mmNote: Note: Believed to be the personal seal of the 2nd Baron Mathieson
AN EARLY VICTORIAN EDINBURGH POLICE COMBINATION SILVER MOUNTED TIPSTAFF AND SEAL, CIRCA 1840 the simple ebony cylindrical shaft with reeded mount to centre, with socket mounted pommel caps the upper with VR cypher with Royal crown above, the upper flat engraved with a seal of the city arms flanked by thistles and Edinburgh Police above, the lower mount engraved FIRST LIEUTENANT OF EDINBURGH POLICEDimensions:Length: 12.7cm, matrix 20mm diameterProvenance:Provenance:Matrix: A Collection of British Seals - David Morris 2012 - Seal 27, page 71Note: Note:Tipstaves were carried by police officers from the late eighteenth century onwards as a badge of office, the forerunner of the modern warrant card. Originally the shaft was hollow to contain the document of authority.The Edinburgh Police Act of 1805 replaced the old constabulary police system throughout the city, some 24 years before Sir Robert Peel founded the Metropolitan Police in London and brought in with it a uniform. The Edinburgh Police Force was administered until 1865 by a Police commission, and not by the town council. The rank of Lieutenant, used from 1812 in Scotland, came above inspector and below assistant superintendent, being roughly equivalent to an English chief inspector.It would appear that specific historic areas have used Tipstaffs for centuries to denote positions of authority but they do not typically combine a seal matrix.While having the appropriate armorial or royal cipher is common to the end mount caps these two examples are among a very small number, if not the only, examples recorded with a seal matrix.
THE JAMES DOUGLAS, 2ND DUKE OF QUEENSBERRY (1672-1711) SEAL MATRIX AN IMPORTANT EARLY 18TH CENTURY SCOTTISH SILVER SEAL MATRIX, CIRCA 1701 the large dished circular matrix with deeply carved and engraved armorial, the reverse, engraved with mirrored monogram JQ, with ducal coronet aboveDimensions:Diameter 10.3cm, weight: 13.2ozProvenance:Provenance:Phillips Edinburgh, 3rd December 1998, lot 218Matrix: A Collection of British Seals - David Morris 2012- - Seal 23, page 64Note: Heraldry:Arms: Quarterly 1st and 4th Argent a man’s heart gules ensigned with an imperial crown proper on a chief azure three mullets of the field (for Douglas) 2nd and 3rd Azure a bend between six cross crosslets fitchy or (or Mar) the whole within a bordure or charged with the double tressure of Scotland gules the arms are environed by the Garter and ensigned with a duke’s coronet.Crest: A heart gules winged and ensigned with an imperial crown or (for Douglas)Supporters: Two pegasi argent winged orMotto: Forward Note:James Douglas, 2nd Duke of Queensberry and 1st Duke of Dover was a highly important politician in 18th-century Scotland. The eldest son of William Douglas, 1st Duke of Queensberry and his wife Isabel Douglas. Educated at Glasgow University he was awarded title of Privy Councillor by the age of 22 in 1684. He served in various regiments including Dundee’s Regiment of Horse and was appointed Colonel of the Scots Troop of the Horse Guard Regiment. A supporter of William III, it was under his reign he was commissioned as a Colonel, presumably for his support in the 1688 Glorious Revolution. His political career was hugely successful and on the death of his father and his elevation to 2nd Duke of Queensberry, the titles and roles he held in the highest office would grow. He held positions such as Lord High Treasurer of Scotland (1693), Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland (1695 – 1702), and Extraordinary Lord of Session, Lord High Commissioner to the Scottish Parliament (1701-1703). His position close to the Royal Household was made even clearer in 1701 when he was appointed Knight of the Garter.Although obviously a Royalist and in 1707 would be instrumental in securing the Act of Union, he did become embroiled, and some would say supported the Jacobite cause. He was tricked by Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat into trying to betray the Duke of Atholl to the Royal Court for his Jacobite support. This ultimately poor attempt and failed scheme meant Douglas stepped back from Government in 1704.His fall from favour was short as the following year he was reinstated as Keeper of the Privy Seal among other roles. As mentioned, he ultimately helped secure the Act of Union which lost him many friends, but did mean he received a £3000 per year pension.His rewards were not just monetary as he was given English titles to match his Scottish ones already held and was created Duke of Dover, Marquess of Beverley and Earl of Rippon in 1708.His career and indeed life would not last long after this and while serving as Secretary of State for Scotland, from 1709, he died in office in 1711.He was succeeded by his second son Charles as his eldest, some considered ‘insane'; consequently passing over from succeeding his premier titles but was given the titular title of Marquess, befitting the son of a Duke.
THE LADY MARY HAMILTON (NÉE MONTAGU), 12TH DUCHESS OF HAMILTON (1854-1934) DESK SEAL A FINE VICTORIAN SILVER GILT, BLOODSTONE AND AGATE FIGURAL SEAL, CIRCA 1875 the cast chased and engraved handle formed as a mailed gauntlet with scrolled cuff, the gripped hand holding a small pommel-shaped seal with fluted octagonal banded agate matrix, engraved with a ducal coronet with Mary below, the upper handle area of polished bloodstone with an arched pommel mount enclosing an oval banded agate matrix engraved ‘BRODICK CASTLE’, the whole contained in a fitted case with indistinguishable maker's name to silk interior (possible Garrard)Dimensions:Length: 10cm, matrices: 15mm x 15mm and 19mm x 24mmNote: Note:Lady Mary Hamilton (née Montagu), 12th Duchess Of Hamilton (1854-1934)Born at Kimbolton Castle in Huntingdonshire to the 7th Duke of Manchester, Lady Mary married William Alexander Louis Stephen Douglas-Hamilton, 12th Duke of Hamilton (1845-1895) on 10 December 1873 and moved on the isle of Arran off the west coast of Scotland to Brodick Castle.Originally a hunting lodge, dating back to the 13th century, Brodick was one of three fortresses/ castles on the island. It wasn’t until the 11 Duke of Hamilton in the 19th century that the family made Brodick Castle a primary residence with major renovations in 1844, almost tripling the size of the building, under the architect James Gillespie Graham.Now under the care of the National Trust for Scotland, Brodick Castle has a wealth of family heirlooms in the house. Particularly interesting is a collection of mounted hardstones and porcelains that were collected by William Beckford. The Beckford Collection came to Brodick through Beckford’s youngest daughter, Susan Euphemia (1786-1859) as they had a better relationship than her elder sister. Susan Euphemia became the wife of Alexander, 10th Duke of Hamilton (1767-1852). She inherited much of the Beckford Collection and by descent the Collection passed to William, 12th Duke of Hamilton (d. 1895).Lady Mary Hamilton would have therefore experienced the collection. Her admiration for history can be seen in a portrait of her dressed as Mary Hamilton, a lady in waiting to Mary Queen of Scots. Now housed in the National Portrait Gallery accession number NPG Ax41207.Together, Mary and William had one daughter named Mary (1884-1957) who married the Duke of Montrose, cementing a fruitful alliance with another aristocratic landowning family in Scotland.As they had no male heir, the family estates passed to a male cousin, but provisions were made their daughter, Lady Mary, and her father ensured that Brodick Castle was left to her where it continued to be an important family home right up until the 20th century.
Selection of proof coin sets and individual medallions incl. WWII silver coin collection, 2018 Beatrix Potter 50p coin set, Panto 50p coin capsule edition set, Royal Proclamation Five Crowns, 2015 Queens Birthday Crown and two South Africa gold plated ingots inset with .03 brilliant cut diamond
Loading...
