Lot 331
The will of James Gordon, Goldsmith, Aberdeen
Auction: 19 August 2013 at 15:00 BST
Description
manuscript will of James Gordon Goldsmith of Aberdeen 1810, written on vellum with seal, and title on reverse
Dimensions
72cm x 59cm, folded in twelve sections
Footnote
Notes:
James Gordon was perhaps one of Aberdeen's most successful late 18th century goldsmiths. He was apprentice to Coline Allan and admitted a member of the Hammerman in 1766. Even from this early period of his career his workshop supported apprentices and he took twelve throughout his career. This large number must attest to his success of his business in Aberdeen as supporting such a workshop must have taken a constant trade in silver.
These apprentices would go onto shape the trade within Aberdeen through such well-known names as William Jamieson and Benjamin Lumsden. However his influence would stretch further with Robert Gordon and John Mair both of whom left to practice their trade in the expanding outposts of the colonial empire in India.
The will details many charitable and personal gifts and most tantalisingly the silver which he personally owned, including some personally made and family items. It gives an interesting insight into the close nit community of Aberdeen and its trades.