FRENCH ADRIEN DUBOIS COMBINATION BOTANY GADGET CANE
CIRCA 1880 - 1920
£1,134
Scottish Works of Art & Whisky
Auction: 16 August 2023 at 11:00 BST
Description
bamboo cane with finger pull in the ash handle that allows the shears to the end to snip, the handle also with a small concealed pollination brush and gilt-stamped 'Fleur' and 'Fruit' verso with a brass cap to the end, the cane and handle with ink inscription 'T. Methven, 15 Princes St, Edinburgh'
Dimensions
119cm long
Provenance
Provenance: Thomas Methven was a noted Scottish botanist and businessman that set up the firm of Thomas Methven & Sons based at 15 Princes Street, Edinburgh. They were large-scale purveyors of seeds, nursery plants and also a florist. The firm once had premises on Macdonald Road and several nurseries based around the city including at 9 Croall Place, Leith Walk and Warriston, Inverleith and Bangholm. Following the death of their father, the business was run by his sons Henry & John Methven. John was closely connected with the two important Scottish horticultural societies, the Royal Caledonian and the Scottish Association. He also had links with the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society.
Footnote
Note: For an identical example see the collection of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum