Description

A magnificent piece of Scottish silver. A large antique silver centrepiece bowl with deep repousse decoration of flowers and foliage; the centre with the original bright gilding. Fantastic quality and heavy gauge silver. To the front is an interesting presentation inscription.

Weight 1567 grams, 30.3 troy oz.
Diameter 26.2cm. Height 13.4cm.
Glasgow 1827.
Maker David Crichton Rait.
Sterling silver.
19^th century.

A lovely table decoration and a very practical size to use. Would look beautiful displaying fruit and/or flowers.

Marks. Stamped on the lower body with a full set of Scottish silver marks.

Inscription. The Glasgow, Paisley and Johnstone Canal was constructed to connect the industrial towns of Glasgow, Paisley and Johnstone to the deep sea port at Ardrossan and to supply locally extracted coal and iron to nearby industrial consumers. The canal became popularly used for passenger transport in long and shallow wrought iron boats which became known as Swift Boats and were widely copied elsewhere. Johnstone Castle is a structure and former mansion in the town of Johnstone in Renfrewshire, Scotland previously owned by the Houston family of Milliken.

“Presented by a number of Gentleman in Johnston & the Vicinity
To William Houston Esq, Johnston Castle
In testimony of their gratitude for the benefit he has conferred on the Community by his invention of Swift Boats for Canal Navigation
1834”

The bowl is in very good condition with excellent crisp relief. Negligible loss to the bright centre gilding. Moderate signs of wear commensurate with age.

Maker: David Crichton Rait

David Crichton Rait, Glasgow silversmith, admitted to the Incorporation of Hammermen of Glasgow in 1832. David was already working prior to this date and registered his marks in Glasgow in 1822. A prolific craftsman, he produced many commissions for local nobility and dignitaries including a considerable number of silver and gold sporting medals. David was also responsible for the silver mounts on a wonderful William IV Scottish Black Watch Regiment (the 42nd Regiment of Foot) dirk. David’s younger brother Robert was also a silversmith, apprenticed to James Muir in 1818. Robert emigrated to the USA in 1833 continuing his trade as silversmith, jeweller and retailer in New York City (1833-1866) as Robert Rait & Co. Another family member active in Glasgow in the early 1900s was a partner in the silver and goldsmith firm of Smith & Rait. Extracted from https://www.raitt.org/illustrious-raitts.html

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