Lot 672
A pair of reproduction Scottish disc end spoons
Auction: 13 March 2013 at 10:00 GMT
Description
Hamilton & Inches, Edinburgh 1931, with additional zig zag assay scrape, compressed finial above disc terminal engraved 'BB' with slightly later date '1578' bellow, the compressed lower cartouche with semi spiralled decoration, above large foliate decoration to stem, the join of stem and bowl with long V shaped foliate detail with horizontal and vertical decoration below
Dimensions
18cm long, 62g each
Footnote
Notes: These spoons were produced by the descendant of the original Boyd family who commissioned the Charles II examples in the mid-17th century. It is unknown how many copies were made but it is known they were given to various family members as christening gifts, some with engraved names and dates others - such as these - plain.
The original owner, Bessy Boyd came from two important Glasgow families; Bessy was daughter of Archbishop James Boyd of Glasgow, who was one of three Protestant Archbishops appointed by King James VI to Glasgow Cathedral. A memorial stained glass window (by Ballantine & Allan) of Archbishop James Boyd can be found in the north wall of Lower Church.
Archbishop Boyd was not the only important member of the clergy in the family, Bessy's brother Robert Boyd had a distinguished career in Scotland and France and held many important positions including professor at Vertuile and Saumur, Principal of Glasgow University, professor of Divinity at Edinburgh University and minister of Paisley Abbey.
Bessy was twice married - firstly to Patrick Maxwell, merchant in Glasgow, who was 3rd son of John Maxwell 4th of Auldhouse and related to the Maxwell's of Pollock House. Patrick died in 1623 and Bessy later married her cousin, also a Boyd.
The date of spoons and Patrick Maxwell's death mean these spoons must relate to Bessy's second marriage.
The close ties between Bessy and the Maxwell family are also seen upon her death as she was buried in the Maxwell family plot within the Glasgow Cathedral graveyard, beside her first husband Patrick.
The inscribed date to the terminal, interestingly obliterated on the Mount Stuart example, is obviously of a slightly later date but no obvious date of importance in Bessy or the Boyd family can be found to which it is retrospectively meant to relate.
With gracious thanks to the current owner for the information regarding this spoon which has opened many doors and answered many unknown queries relating to this and the other Boyd disc end.
Provenance:
Boyd family collection,
Mrs Maxwell of Auld, collection
By direct descent to current owner
References and exhibition for original example:
History of English plate, Sir C J Jackson volume II page 519 figure 662 & 663
Jackson Silver & Gold Marks of England, Scotland and Ireland, (revised edition)
Compendium of Scottish Silver, R & J Dietert Volume 1 page 238
Silver; Made in Scotland, G Dalgleish & H Steuart Fothringham