Lot 109
A MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS PORTRAIT PENDANT Y
19TH CENTURY
Scottish Silver & Applied Arts
Auction: 17 August 2016 from 12:00 BST
Description
unmarked, the gold frame with enamel sky-blue and white border around an inner Royal blue enamel frame, pearl set border, enclosing a glazed panel with half-length portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots on ivory, the reverse with simple gold frame enclosing a glazed panel with Royal arms dated 1587, painted on ivory
Dimensions
4cm wide
Footnote
Note:
The romantic figure of Queen Mary has been much celebrated and commemorated throughout Scottish history. The revival in interest of this history in the reign of King George IV, brought on by his visit to Scotland in 1822 and by the interest in Sir Walter Scott's 'Waverley Novels', created many wonderful memorials to Scottish historical figures such as this pendant.
Often these pieces were commissioned by families who had close historical ties to Scotland. They were now able to be proud to be Scottish and celebrate this fact only a generation after the upheaval left in the wake of Culloden and the Jacobite uprising.
Although the original commissioner and early history of this piece is unknown, the fine nature and quality surely places it within an important Scottish family, proud to show their heritage and support for the Stuart Royal line.