ABERDEEN - A SCOTTISH PROVINCIAL HORN QUAICH
WILLIAM DUNNINGHAM & CO
£275
Scottish Works of Art & Whisky
Auction: 12 August 2020 at 11:00 BST
Description
Edinburgh 1912, the circular bowl with applied silver disc engraved 'SCUAB AST' for drink up, the three lugs each collet set with a faceted amethyst; together with another marked WD&Co, S, 925
Dimensions
9.3cm, 12cm across lugs
Footnote
Note: The name of William Dunningham & Co was a long established Aberdeen firm, first recorded as early as 1871 and with his own shop in Aberdeen’s Union Street by 1892. They worked continually as Jewellers & Silversmiths until 1957. While they had a wide range of wares the majority of their work catered for the booming tourist trade in the North of Scotland created from the continued interest in Balmoral and the Royal family.
While they produced various items of silver jewellery, granite mounted wares and highland dress, their most prolific and recognisable products were those made from silver mounted horn.
There has long been a tradition that the horn was sourced from the Aberdeen Comb Works where large quantities would have been used. This local natural product would be turned into a large range of wares including porridge bowls and spoons, tankards and stacking beakers and at the higher level of the range, additionally mounted with gemstones, quaichs, snuff boxes and napkin rings.