Lot 448
AN IVORY AND EBONY BALUSTER SNUFF MULL Y
MID-18TH CENTURY
Scottish Silver & Applied Arts
Auction: 14 August 2019 at 11:00 BST
Description
the ebony body set with ivory to upper section, the base and rim with silver mounts, the silver hinged to domed ebony cover with wide silver rim and round engraved "Post Nubila Phabus, Alexr Smith 1745 Longmay" and set centrally with oval plaque with mirrored monogram 'AS' and dated 1743 below
Dimensions
71mm high
Footnote
Literature: Kelvin, M. (2003). The Jacobite Legacy. 1st ed. Wigtown: G C Book Publishers Ltd, p.151.
Note: Alexander Smith of Longmay (also known as Lonmay) near Peterhead was based very close to Pitsligo Castle. Although his name is not listed among the ranks of the Pitsligo Regiment it is highly likely he was a volunteer within their ranks. A staunchly Jacobite area, the regiment contained many local people who lived on or near the estates and marched under Forbes of Pitslgio's name throughout the '45.
While the Latin motto to this piece Post Nubila Phabus could be a family one, its translation as 'Sunshine After Clouds' has a very Jacobite sympathy and mind set. The Sunshine being interpreted as the restoration of the Stuart from the Cloud of the Hanoverian rule.