Highland Dress Suite Sporran Restoration
Highland Dress Suite Sporran Restoration
Highland Dress Suite Sporran Restoration
Things that appear out of the mist that after nearly one hundred and fifty years, often need a little care and gentle restoration.
One such things we have recently had the pleasure of restoring is a fine ermine and silver sporran made by William Marshal & Sons - Edinburgh and hallmarked 1877.
This wonderful sporran is part of a Highland suite. The complete matched suite includes a full set of silver dress buttons that are being added to a new bespoke doublet, a fine Highland dirk, sgian dubh, belt buckle and sterling silver accoutrements.
The beautifully hinged sporran cantle was embellished with engraved and chased zoomorphic beasts interspersed with cabochon rock crystal gem stones. The sporran body is in a fine ermine fur and the three tassels are made from the tails of three ermine strung on silver chains. Even the the inside of the sporran pouch was lined with the finest ivory kid leather and had three internal sections.
A true classic of Victorian Highland style.
William Marshall & Sons were Goldsmiths to Her Majesty the Queen, H.R.H. the Princess Louise, The Royal Company of Archers, and the Royal Caledonian Hunt.
William Marshall & Sons - Edinburgh Silver Hallmarks
WM hallmark with first pattern Georgian style crown circa 1822 - 1866
Last hallmark WM with later pattern Victorian style crown 1872 - 1895
William Marshall & Sons - Co Silversmiths
William Marshall first appeared in the records at the Edinburgh assay office circa 1802. As the business developed his sons joined him in the silversmith trade and subsequently in 1822 the hallmarked became William Marshall & Son. In 1888 the business changed again to become William Marshall & Co. It appears the last family member Mr Thomas Marshall died in 1901.
Word comes from Scotland that Thomas R. Marshall, head of the well known firm of William Marshall & Co., jewelers and goldsmiths to the Queen, 134 Princess St., Edinburgh, died recently, aged 78 years, at his residence, 4 E. Castle Road, after a protracted illness. Mr. Marshall was identified with philanthropic and religious work in Edinburgh during the past half century.
Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 6th February 1901
William Marshall Edinburgh Silver Hallmarks
At this time we have records for three hallmarks used by William Marshall & Sons covering 100 years of silversmithing in Edinburgh.
Early silver hallmark WM 1802 - 1821
WM silver hallmark with first pattern Georgian style crown circa 1822 - 1866
Last silver hallmark WM with later pattern Victorian crown 1872 - 1895
William Marshall Silversmiths address details from the Edinburgh Trade Directories of the Nineteenth century.
William Marshall & Sons Jeweller & Goldsmith 64 North Bridge Edinburgh - Directory 1833-34
W Marshall & Sons - Goldsmiths to Her Majesty the Queen, H.R.H. the Princess Louise, The Royal Company of Archers, and the Royal Caledonian Hunt. 87 George St, Edinburgh - Directory - 1887 - 1888
William Marshall & Co 134 Princess St., Edinburgh - Directories 1888 -1900
If any new information comes to light in the future we will update the article.
