Lot 424
THE EARL MARISCHAL QUAICH
A LARGE LATE 17TH / EARLY 18TH CENTURY STAVED QUAICH
Auction: Day Two | Thursday 20 August from 10am | Lots 199 - 555
Description
Composed of feathered staves with three integral tapered lugs, the centre set with domed boss with scalloped rim, engraved with crown above cross sword and sceptre dated 1722, the three lugs with chevron border and engraved EM, Jas R and JR in script monograms, the exterior of the bowl and foot with withy binding, the underside of foot with later silver plaque to centre and impressed turner's mark IG
Dimensions
Bowl 19cm diameter
Provenance
Likely the property of John Elphinstone (1649–1718) was the 8th Lord Elphinstone
By direct descent
The Elphinstone Family Collection
Footnote
The makers of staved wooden quaichs are sadly unrecorded or at least their names cannot be tied to extant examples. This example is extremely unusual showing an impressed IG to the underside. It must be assumed this is the maker although they remain untraced.
This quaich forms part of a small group of early staved quaichs which show allegiance to King James. Presumably some show this to suggest James had used the quaich, and others purely showing their support. Given the Keith family's close ties with the court it is tantalising to consider if it was used by the Stuart King James himself.
Other examples are noted in the collection of the staunch Jacobite Drummond family - see Stobhall: Property of the Viscount Strathallan, Bonhams 2nd May 2012, lot 66 and The Drambuie Collection, also see Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite’s, National Museum of Scotland 2018.