The best in traditional Scottish works of art at auction

This annual sale, timed to coincide with the Edinburgh Fringe (that returns this year from August 6-30), is the home of the best in traditional works of art and collectables from North of the Border.

That means ‘pebble’ jewellery, Mauchline souvenir wares, Jacobite glass, Scottish pottery including Wemyss ware and Scottish provincial silver. Pictured here are some of the highlights across number of popular collecting disciplines.

Wemyss pottery

Wemyss plate decorated by Karel Nekola, estimated at £1000-1500 at Lyon & Turnbull.

A large selection of Wemyss pottery is included in the sale. Many are signature wares (including the popular pigs) but rarities include this plate c.1900 decorated with sheep by Karel Nekola.

In addition to the artist’s signature (Nekola was head of the decorating workshop) the plate bears the inscription verso Ca' the yowes to the knox (Drive the ewes to the hills), a reference to the Scottish folk song popularised by Burns.

Estimate £1000-1500. 

Scottish provincial silver

Scottish provincial silver spoon with town marks for Keith, estimated at £1000-1500 at Lyon & Turnbull.

The rarest recorded Scottish town marks that appear on silver are those of Stonehaven, Ellon and Keith.

While a few pieces (spoons and ladles) with Stonehaven and Ellon marks are known, Keith silver has rarely appeared at auction – the last spoon offered at auction more than 30 years ago. 

A fiddle pattern teaspoon with Keith marks comes for sale at Lyon & Turnbull. As with the two examples illustrated in Jackson’s Silver & Gold Marks of England Scotland and Ireland, it is marked JC, probably for John Cumming, a watch and clockmaker in Keith.

The town name mark is built from five oddly shaped letter punches, perhaps made by Cumming himself. The estimate is £1000-1500.

Jacobite memorabilia

A signed letter from Charles Stuart, estimated at £2000-3000 at Lyon & Turnbull.

A signed letter from Charles Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) to Louis XV also appears at the Lyon & Turnbull sale. 

Written in French to ‘Mon Cousin’ on January 31, 1743, it appears to be an expression of mutual goodwill written shortly before Charles Edward Stuart's arrival in Scotland for the 1745 rebellion. Estimate £2000-3000.

Jacobite glass

A pair of mid 18th century Jacobite wine glasses, estimated at £1500-2000 at Lyon & Turnbull.

The supporters of the exiled Stuart dynasty used secret symbols and emblems to signify support for the Jacobite cause, including their main emblem, the white rose.

This pair of mid 18th century Jacobite wine glasses are finely engraved with rose heads (symbolising the exiled king James) and rosebuds (his son Charles) in script 'Fiat' above an oak leaf.

They closely resemble the important set of eleven glasses and two decanters from Chastleton Manor, Oxfordshire used by one of the oldest established Jacobite Societies, the Cavalier Club. Estimate 1500-2000.

The Celtic Revival

A silver and enamel pendant by Alexander Richie, estimated at £600-800 at Lyon & Turnbull.

In the first quarter of the 20th century, Alexander and Euphemia Richie championed the Celtic craft revival from their workshops on Iona.

This typical Scottish provincial silver and blue enamel necklace marked AR Iona, has a pendant modelled as a dove in flight. Estimate £600-800.

Mauchline ware

Tartanware sewing thread box, estimated at £300-500 at Lyon & Turnbull.

Aided by the arrival of the railways – and encouraged by the writings of Sir Walter Scott and the patronage of the royal family – Scotland became a prime tourist destination in the Victorian era. A lucrative industry surrounded the creation of tourist souvenirs. 

The printed wooden souvenir wares, many of them made at the Ayrshire town of Mauchline, were hugely popular and despatched to all parts of the globe.

This Mauchline Tartanware sewing thread box in the form of a curling stone, covered with McPherson tartan, 11.5cm diameter, is estimated at £300-500.

Pebble jewellery

Silver gilt and pebble vesta case, estimated at £600-800 at Lyon & Turnbull.

So-called ‘pebble’ jewellery and boxes, made using native agates, citrines and granite, were hugely popular throughout the Victorian era.

Much of it was fashioned by lapidaries working in Edinburgh new town and Glasgow using raw material collected in the hills and highlands. 

This silver gilt and pebble vesta case, struck for Glasgow firm DC Rait, is a good example. Estimate 600-800.