Of round feathered staved form with two
lugs, the central silver boss
prick engraved B over S * A, over 1658,
the paint-decorated lugs with engraved
silver mounts, having a wide engraved silver girdle,
and raised on a silver ring foot
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 (spelled 'whisky' in Scotland) or
brandy.
Most quaichs offered today are 19th and 20th century.
We have been privileged to have several
from the 18th century.
It is a great honor to offer this one
from the mid-17th century.
It is said that Bonnie Prince Charlie
carried a quaich with a glass insert in the center,
so that he could
see someone coming to harm him, when at a gathering or in battle.
Condition : Excellent for age normal shrinkage to the wood; some
rubbing to silver engraving and paint decoration; feathering
visible; several securing pins to the girdle and foot missing;
expected nicks and abrasions;
surface only rubbed with olive oil for moisture and sheen
7" Wide Over the Lugs
SOLD
#6766
PLEASE INQUIRE
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