Lot 133
Aberdeen - a scarce Scottish provincial hair pin
Auction: 13 February 2008 at 11:00 GMT
Description
circa 1750-1760, marked ABD only, the tapered pin with twisted central section, the pierced finial with simple prick engraved decoration
Dimensions
17cm long, 10.6g
Footnote
Notes: Although only marked with an Aberdeen town punch, this piece seems to date to the mid 1700's from both the manufacture and style of punch. The town punch is very similar in style to those associated with such makers as Coline Allan, James Wildgoose, James Gordon and some very early John Leslie pieces. It has not however been possible attribute this punch to any maker conclusively.
The use of this piece is also open for debate as it is so similar in style and manufacture to a meat or game skewer, the twist to the stem, which appears contemporary, seems to point away from these uses and more to personal adornment.