INVERNESS - A RARE SCOTTISH PROVINCIAL WINE TASTER
SIMON MCKENZIE
£3,276
Scottish Works of Art & Whisky
Auction: Lots 1 - 412 | 20 August 2024 at 10am
Description
marked MK conjoined to each handle, the shallow hemispherical bowl with twin flat sheet handles with scalloped edges, simple engraved border and pierced detail, one engraved I MR (MR conjoined), the whole raised on a simple flared collet foot
Dimensions
14.7cm wide (across handles), 2.9oz
Footnote
Amongst the earliest makers in Inverness with surviving work recorded, Simon McKenize is working as early as 1693. Surviving work by him is rare although a constant high quality is seen throughout. His name is tied to various thistle and tot cups, three pairs of communion cups and a single quaich.
Although tempting to class this piece as a second quaich to McKenzie’s hand it does not have all the attributes needed to class as such. Mainly the shape and outline of the handles, having flared box formed lugs that are not made of simple sheet such as this.
This therefore places this piece within a very small important group of Scottish made tasters. Currently two Edinburgh examples by Thomas Cleghorne I of Edinburgh 1646-48 (National Museums Scotland), Andrew Denniestoun Edinburgh 1646-1648 (Private Collection) and a provincially made example by Thomas Moncur of Aberdeen c1650 (Private Collection). One recently discovered unmarked example, likely Aberdeen made of c1650, completes the group, meaning the example under discussion is one of only five examples and the only marked Inverness one.
For an illustration of this maker’s mark see Highland Gold & Silversmiths, GP Moss and A D Roe, pages 18 and 19.