Lot 182
ALEXANDER RITCHIE, IONA
CELTIC REVIVAL TWIN-HANDLED CUP, DATED 1924-5
Auction: 5 November 2008 at 11:00 GMT
Description
silver, repousse decorated to the bowl with a brad band of entwined Celtic beasts and further decorated to the handles, stem and spreading foot with characteristic motifs, bears inscription CHAIDH AN CORN SO A BHUILEACHADH AIR SINE NIC NEACAIL BEAN AN RUNAIR, LE COMMUN GAIDHLIG IONBHAIR - HIS MAT THEIST AIR A SAOTHAIR AS LETH A'CHOMUINN./ 26-3-1926, bears hallmarks for London 1924 and makers marks AR/ IONA
Dimensions
11.5cm high
Footnote
Note; The inscription on this cup translates as 'This cup was presented to Jane Nicolson, wife of the Secretary of the Gaelic Society of Inverness, in recognition of her work on behalf of the society. 26-3-1926'. The Gaelic Society of Inverness records refer to the cup thus: 'c.1926: to Mrs Nicolson, wife of the Secretary of the Gaelic Society of Inverness, 'a replica in silver of an old Celtic chalice found in Iona, made by Mr Ritchie...', presumably referring to this twin-handled cup. The use of London hallmarks on work is unusual for Ritchie.
We are grateful to Mairi MacArthur for supplying the above information.