Lot 16
A Victorian silver gilt pebble set paper knife
Auction: 13 February 2008 at 11:00 GMT
Description
by George Mc Ewen, Edinburgh circa 1870 (date letter lacking), formed as a dagger with diamond shaped pink banded agates set to the grip, with a circular cut amethyst in gilt foliate mount as pommel, the scroll guard set with graduated oval cabochon cornelians, with gilt tapered blade
Dimensions
24cm long overall
Footnote
Notes: While most agate and hardstone jewellery is termed Scottish pebble jewellery it was in fact a trade based in Birmingham and indeed continental Europe, that produced most of the higher quality examples. A more correct term for these pieces is 'Scottish market' items. This example however is a rare piece which has been hallmarked and indeed even rarer in that is has an Edinburgh hallmark. Also the very high quality of this piece is far greater than most pieces encountered and is an exquisite example.
George Mc Ewen is first mentioned in the records of the Edinburgh Assay Office 1851 and his latest mention has been traced in 1878. When registering his punch he describes himself as 'Master Jeweller' , he reigisters two punches both of same style but different proportions, any marked pieces by this maker are rare, it must be assumed as with the other manufacturers of jewellery and in particular Scottish pebble jewellery that only a small proportion of the work was sent for assay.