Lot 281
KILMAURS - A RARE SCOTTISH PROVINCIAL LATE 17TH CENTURY KNIFE AND FORK
ADAM BIGGART
Auction: Day Two | Thursday 20 August from 10am | Lots 199 - 555
Description
Marked to pommel caps AB and to blade B and scimitar, the canon handles formed from panels of tortoiseshell with twisted wire between, engraved initials AC to upper area, with reeded mounted and domed pommel caps, with shaped steel blade and two-pronged fork
Dimensions
Knife 20cm long, Fork 18cm long
Footnote
Although rarely encountered, Kilmaurs was a centre of cutlery and steel production in the late 17h century. A 'family' of makers various named Biggart or Biggar seem to have been the makers of most of the high quality examples. Seen with makers marks DB or AB, relating to a possible father and son of David and Alexander Biggart. While little is currently known, important Hanger marked with the DB punch and a town mark in full of KILMARES does survive. Interestingly, much like the example under discussion, it shows to a very high quality the work in tortoiseshell which was so rare in Scotland. This Hanger has proved instrumental in the attribution of the other small group of cutlery for Kilmaurs, and the addition of the town mark to the hilt has proven the location, as to date no other examples are recorded.
Only a very small number of pieces are recorded of any type for Kilmaurs mainly taking the shape of steel blade knives and forks. All are of a recognisable pattern although must date over a period of 30 years or more, from circa 1680 - 1710.
For another example from the Earl’s of Kintore collection see Scottish Silver & Accessories, Lyon & Turnbull 13th August 2014, lot 324.
For further reading, please see The Finial Volume 25/04, March/April 2015 for Part I and for Part II May/June 2015, vol. 25/05