Lot 282
KINCARDINE O’ NEIL - A RARE SCOTTISH PROVINCIAL MEDALLION
WILLIAM ROBB
Auction: Day Two | Thursday 20 August from 10am | Lots 199 - 555
Description
Marked ROBB, K’ON (both incuse), London marks 1876, of shaped circular outline with arched engraved border, the vacant domed centre inscribed around LUMPHANAN 1895, HORSES & HARNESS, with integral suspension loop
Dimensions
62mm high, 20.7g
Footnote
Within a few years of starting business, after training in Aberdeen, William Robb moves to the small village of Kincardine O'Neil, 25 miles from Aberdeen. The choice of this early location does appear short sighted as the local trade and indeed passing trade would be minimal and it seems very unlikely would have enough work to support a craftsman or even working and retailing jeweller / silversmith. This must be more than a small part as the reason for the many moves that Robb makes at this early point in his career.
Only a very small amount of marked work is known to survive for this period of Robb’s career and once again it is known he predominantly worked as an out worker. To date, a small number of farming medals, wishbone sugar tongs and a pair of menu holders have been recorded.
In less than five years Robb would leave Kincardine O'Neil and makes the shrewd move to set up what is to become his most successful venture by far, in Ballater.