Lot 532
A WILLIAM IV SCOTTISH HARDSTONE VINAIGRETTE
JAMES NASMYTH, EDINBURGH 1832
Scottish Silver & Applied Arts
Auction: 15 August 2018 at 11:00 BST
Description
of canted square form, the hinged cover formed from a moss agate panel, the body and base with engine turned decoration, the gilded interior with pierced and engraved grill with foliate scrolls, cornucopia with fruit and flowers
Dimensions
4cm wide
Footnote
Unlike larger centres of silversmithing makers in Edinburgh (and indeed Scotland as whole) were predominantly general makers who reacted to the needs of their clients, rather than specialising in one area. However, the output of James Nasymth would appear to be an exception to this rule. Although he did produce general wares a large percentage of his work is boxes, from small snuff boxes to fine presentation boxes and vinaigrettes such as this. When looked at overall he seems to have made a large percentage of boxes in Edinburgh through this period and was likely regarded as the specialist in Edinburgh.