TAIN - A RARE PAIR OF SCOTTISH PROVINCIAL SERVING SPOONS
HUGH ROSS
£2,200
Scottish Silver & Applied Arts
Auction: 17 August 2016 from 12:00 BST
Description
marked HR, St Duthac, F, of Hanoverian pattern with engraved crest and motto to reverse of terminal (2)
Dimensions
Length 24.5cm, 1.7oz each
Footnote
The Crest of the Family of Mackenzie
The crest as engraved is that of the family of Mackenzie. It may be blazoned as follows:
Crest: A sun in splendour proper
Motto: Luceo non uro [I shine but do not burn]
This crest with its associated motto was borne both by the Mackenzies of Tarbet in the County of Cromarty and the Mackenzies of Scatwell in the County of Ross. Both families were created Baronets within the Baronetage of Nova Scotia (or of Scotland) in 1628 and 1703 respectively. Sir George Mackenzie of Tarbet, the 2nd Baronet (born 1630 died 1714) was created Viscount of Tarbet and Lord MacLeod and Castlehaven within the Peerage of Scotland in 1685 and again these same two peerages were granted unusually to Sir George once again by Queen Anne, together with the Earldom of Cromartie on the 1st January 1702 - 03. George, the new Earl of Cromartie subsequently resigned the baronetcy of Tarbet in favour of his second son, The Honourable Kenneth Mackenzie (died 1728) in 1704, who was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia styled 'of Cromarty and Grandvale'. As mentioned, the Mackenzies of Scatwell also bore this crest as they descended from a younger brother of Sir John Mackenzie of Tarbet, the 1st Baronet of Tarbet..
Given that the crest and its corresponding motto appear on this pair of spoons there must be a presumption that were not in the ownership of the Mackenzie, Earls of Cromartie as there is no incident of the peerage shown (ie: an Earl's coronet). Therefore there is a likelihood that they were in the possession of either Sir George Mackenzie of Cromarty and Grandvale, the 2nd Baronet (died 20th May 1748) or Sir Roderick Mackenzie of Scatwell, 2nd Baronet (born circa 1687 died 1750) who succeeded to the Scatwell baronetcy in 1730 the year of the manufacture of this pair of spoons. So saying, there is a very slim possibility that they acquired by Sir Roderick's father, Sir Kenneth, the 2nd Baronet of Scatwell before his death in 1730.