The staved round bowl of 18
alternating light and dark hardwood staves with ring-turned verso,
the three lugs and foot
rim with silver mounts, the center coopering also of silver;
the
woods probably Scottish Laburnum and Boxwood
The quaich is a
Scottish traditional "friendship" drinking vessel.
Its probable origin was the Baltic region, where "mazers" (large
drinking bowls)
were built in the staved manner from the
medieval period.
Early quaichs were either carved from a single
piece of wood,
or made by "feathering" together about 12 or 13
alternating light and dark staves (as above).
These were then held
together by bands of willow or silver.
They generally had - and
retain today - two or three short projecting handles called "lugs -
the best of these covered in silver.
The quaich was
likely introduced into the Scottish Highlands in the early 16th
century,
but not in use in Edinburgh and Glasgow until the late 17th
century.
The name derives from the Gaelic word for cup - "Cuach"
-
pronounced like "qwaygh", and probably only properly spoken by a
true Scotsman.
Its favored use was for whiskey or brandy.
Condition : Good to excellent; the woods with normal wear and
accretion for age and usage; silver in excellent condition;
the silver coopering lacking one silver attachment pin (however
stable without movement)
4.5” Wide
SOLD
#6538
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