Lot 683
A rare George II Scottish table snuff box
Auction: Jewellery, Silver & Watches
Description
James Ker, Edinburgh 1735, of large oval form with reeded rims and slightly waisted sides, the domed hinged cover with engraved crest with coronet above, all within a shell and foliate cartouche
Dimensions
Width: 18cm, weight: 16.7oz
Footnote
The crest as engraved upon this George I Silver Box and Cover is that of Hay, Marquesses of Tweeddale. It may be blazoned as follows:
Crest: A goat’s head erased argent horned or
The crest is ensigned with the coronet of a Marquess.
Motto: Spare nought
The Hays were created Marquesses of Tweeddale along with the minor titles of the Earl of Gifford and Viscount of Walden within the Peerage of Scotland on the 17th December 1694. At the time of the creation of these peerages, John Hay, the 1st Marquess of Tweeddale was already the Earl of Tweeddale and Lord Hay of Yester again both in the Peerage of Scotland. Given the presumed date of manufacture of this particular box and cover may have been in the possession of John, the 4th Marquess (born circa 1695 died 9th December 1762).
Charles, the 3rd Marquess was married to Lady Susan Cochrane (widow of John Cochrane, 2nd Earl of Dundonald), the second daughter of William Douglas-Hamilton, Duke of Hamilton (for life). She died on the 7th February 1736-7. During his lifetime Charles had served as a Commissioner of Supply for the years 1695 and 1704 and was appointed a Privy Councillor for Scotland in 1697-8; Sheriff of Haddingtonshire 1714-15; a Representative Peer for Scotland 1714-15; President of the Court of Police and Lord Lieutenant of Haddingtonshire 1715; whilst John, the 4th Marquess had married on the 24th May 1748, Lady Frances Carteret (died 25th December 1788), the sister and co-heiress of Robert Carteret, the 3rd Earl Granville, and 4th daughter of John Carteret, the 2nd Earl Granville. Again, like his father, John served the Crown in Scotland in the capacity of an Extra Lord of Session 1720/1-62; a Representative Peer 1722-34 and 1742-62; and was appointed a Privy Councillor of Scotland in 1741/2; Principal Secretary of State for Scotland and Keeper of the Signet 1741/2; Governor of the Bank of Scotland 1742-62; Lord Justice General of Scotland 1761-62.