An early silver mounted coconut cup
£2,600
Auction: 30 November 2010 at 11:00 GMT
Description
unmarked, the deep coconut shell bowl with engraved armorial sheild, with applied scalloped rim inscribed 'James Graham obyt 1650', the interior of bowl silver gilt lined, raised on a knopped stem with spreading foot with scalloped rim
Dimensions
16cm high
Footnote
Notes: this cup has been later inscribed in memory of James Graham, 5th Earl and 1st Marquis of Montrose (1612 - 1650). James Graham was an important and now considered rather romantic figure in Scottish 17th century history and after a long and indeed successful involvement in the Covenanting wars was hung in 1650.
From 1638 Montrose was an active enforcer of the Covenant and served in the covenanter's army in the bishops War. In 1640 - 1641 he was imprisoned by the Duke of Argyll. During Scotland's intervention in the English Civil war James Graham was created Marquis and made Lieutenant General by King Charles. His prowess and brilliant military strategy were to prove of great note and with only a small force (of Royalist and Irish troops) would win six decisive battles between 1644 - 1645. In 1645 with the defeat of King Charles at Naseby, his support would dry out and would flee for sanctuary on the continent. Returning to Scotland in 1650 in support of King Charles II and indeed trying to make his rule a reality, an expedition that would later be disavowed by Charles. Montrose later surrendered himself, in belief of his safety, to Macleod of Assynt but was taken as prisoner to Edinburgh and on the 10th of May 1650 was sentenced to death by Parliament and was hung on the 21st May 1650.