About this lot

Description

A parcel gilt beaker,
maker's mark double struck, no further marks, possibly Glasgow, mid-19th century, of plain, rather squat form with flared lip, the side engraved with the crest and two mottoes of 'Cleland' and the crest possibly that of 'Caird', gilt washed interior, 9.5cm at the rim, 9cm in height, tests for silver, 4.6ozt

Footnote: The two marks are rather unclear but do bear a resemblance to a mark illustrated in 'English Goldsmiths and their Marks' by Sir Charles Jackson, third edition, page 571. The mark is listed as 'unidentified' on Glasgow plate 1836/37. Without any other marks, it is extremely difficult to make a positive identification. Edinburgh and Glasgow housed the main assay offices in Scotland in the 19th century, with the Glasgow office being established in 1819. However, it was not uncommon for Scottish silversmiths not to send items in for hallmarking. Consequently, many items were only marked with the maker’s initials. The names represented by the crests - Cleland and Caird - are originally from Scotland (Cleland from Lanarkshire and Caird from Ayrshire), and Glasgow would have been the nearest assay office for both areas at the time.

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