Lot 363
A SCARCE 17TH CENTURY QUAICH
Auction: 12 August 2015 at 15:00 BST
Description
unmarked, of diminutive form, the hemispherical bowl with engraved stave lines, the exterior of the bowl with engraved flower heads and thistles, the twin shaped lugs with hatched border and engraved initials 'AW' and W'I', the whole raised on a simple collet foot
Dimensions
Width (across lugs)10.5cm, 1.3oz
Footnote
Although unmarked, this quaich follows a pattern which seems synonymous with the late 1600's. Of the few marked examples which survive they all appear to date to c1680 - c1690 and so far are mainly recorded in Glasgow - where usually of a larger size - or the North East of Scotland in Banff and Aberdeen where the smaller size, such as this, come from.
The attention of engraved stave lines and floral details and displays would have been intended to show the owner's interest in the arts and natural sciences, as well as showing his wealth in owning such an item of silver.