THE ADMIRAL SIR WILLIAM EDMONSTONE, 4TH BARONET CB, DL (1810 – 1888) SEAL
A 19TH-CENTURY ROCK CRYSTAL AND BLOODSTONE DESK SEAL
£1,764
Auction: 19 May 2023 from 10:00 BST
Description
the facetted rock crystal handle of tapering form, to an ornately chased scroll and floral collar, the rounded rectangular bloodstone matrix with the arms of Edmonstone
Dimensions
Height: 8.5cm, matrix: 19mm x 15mm
Footnote
Heraldry:
Creation 20 May 1774
Arms: Or three crescents, within a doublet treasure, flory-counterflory gules
Crest: Out of a ducal coronet, or a swan's head and neck
Supporters: Two lions, rampant
Motto: Virtus auget honorem
Note:
Admiral Sir William Edmonstone, 4th Baronet CB, DL (29 January 1810 – 18 February 1888)
Beginning his naval service in his youth, on his return from West Africa he was made an Aide-de-Camp to Queen Victoria and appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath.
Following his retirement from the navy, he was elected Member of Parliament for Stirlingshire from 1874 to 1880. During this time he stayed at the family seat, Duntreath Castle, Blanefield, Stirlingshire. Other residences include Colzium near Kilsyth, London, and an Edinburgh town house.
Together with his wife Mary Elizabeth Parsons whom he married in Greece, they had eleven children, their youngest daughter Alice Keppel was the mistress of Edward VII.
Succeeded by his son Sir Archibald Edmonstone, 15th of Duntreath and 5th Bt.C.V.O. D.L., Groom in Waiting to H.M. King Edward VII 1907-10. He accompanied the King on his state visit to Leningrad in 1908.
A chromolithograph, published in Vanity Fair, on 8th March 1879 by Sir Leslie Ward of Sir William is now in the collection of the National Portrait gallery accession number NPG D43893