Quaich

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A quaich is a traditional Scottish drinking vessel. This silver-mounted wooden example dates from the 18th century.

The quaich body is formed from alternate staves of light and dark wood. The silver handles or 'lugs' are engraved at the edges.

The name 'quaich' is from 'cuach', the Gaelic word for cup. Its ancestor was the scallop shell, in which drams of whisky were taken. Quaichs were traditionally made out of wood, but in the 17th century craftsmen began to make them out of silver.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-002-795-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
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• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.SJA 40
• Date: 18th century
  
• Material: Staves of light and dark wood; silver mounts
  
• Dimensions: 50 mm H x 185 mm W x 120 mm D
  
• What:
• Subject: Quaichs (NMAS Classification)
  
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• Where:
• Event:
• Description: Silver mounted quaich of alternate feathered staves of light and dark wood, 18th century
  
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