Lot 456
A set of eight Victorian period carved oak Baronial style dining chairs Bearing the Hamilton family crest
Auction: 17 February 2007 at 11:00 GMT
Description
the arched backs with lion mask crestings bounded by vine leaves above barley twist and fruiting vine carved uprights and stuffover seats, on barley twist and block legs united by stretchers, upholstered in burgundy hide and each back tooled in gilt with the Hamilton crest and motto: 'In Arduis Fortitudo', including two armchairs with lion mask terminals (8)
Footnote
Note: The armorial contains three piles and a chequy chief. The motto generally relates to Hamilton of Gilkerscleugh, although the family has many 'trees'.
The present owner's family acquired the chairs in the 1970s and were told at the time that they not only had a Hamilton family connection, but also one with the Duke of Marlborough's family and were possibly intended for a Hunting Lodge.
The crest, with its boar's head and hunting horns, would seem to lend support to this idea. The crest also seems to represent an 'heraldic achievement', in honour of a special occasion or family achievement . Similarly, the rather complex armorial could indicate the joining of two families.
It is interesting that the first Duke of Abercorn, namely Sir James Hamiton (1811-1885) had a daughter, Lady Albertha Frances Anne Hamilton who married George Spencer-Churchill, the 8th Duke of Marlborough.