A rare and early George I Scottish silver teapot stand
£4,000
Auction: 17 August 2009 at 15:00 BST
Description
Colin MacKenzie, Edinburgh 1718 - 19, Assay Master Edward Penman, of simple shallow dished form on slightly flared collet foot, with crest and motto engraved to centre
Dimensions
10.7cm diameter, 2.7oz
Footnote
Note: this is the earliest known Scottish silver teapot stand and would have been an integral part of the serving of tea in any Scottish home, keeping the hot base of the flat based apple teapot off the highly polished wooden table surfaces. The earliest recorded Scottish teapots date to 1714 - 15, this piece only a few years after this date, shows the truly remarkable survival for such a small item of Scottish silver.
The crest and motto engraved to the centre are that of William SMYTH of Methven Castle by Perth, the motto MEDIUS TRANQUILLUS IN UNDIS and crest fo a dolphin haurient.
Provenance:
James Ivory collection
Private collection
Exhibitions:
Royal Scottish Museum 'Exhibition of Scottish Silver' 1948 item 79
National Museum Scotland 'Silver; Made in Scotland' 2008 item 4.16