Travelling writing set of silver

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This silver travelling writing set was given by the Incorporation of Goldsmiths of Edinburgh to their clerk, Nicol Somerville in 1674. The set was made by Thomas Cleghorne of Edinburgh.

When the pieces of the set - a candle holder, inkwell, quill holder, seal matrix and sand box - are screwed together they form the shape of a hand bell with a cylindrical handle.

Goldsmiths worked in gold and silver and were usually members of the Incorporation of Hammermen (those who used hammers in their trade). Edinburgh, however, had its own Incorporation of Goldsmiths.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-001-108-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.MEQ 1238 E
• Date: 1673 - 1674
  1673 - 1674
  1673 - 1674
  1673 - 1674
  1673 - 1674
  1673-4
  
• Material: Silver
  Silver
  Silver
  Silver, cork stopper. Inscription: T C [in a shaped punch]
  Silver. Inscription: On rim: *GIFTIT*BE*THE*GOLDSMITHS*OF*EDR.*TO*NICOLSOMMERVELL / THER CLERK ANNO 1674
  Writing set, travelling / base
  Writing set, travelling / inkwell
  Writing set, travelling / quill holder
  Writing set, travelling / sand box
  Writing set, travelling / seal matrix
  
• Dimensions: 104 mm L x 18 mm D
  20 mm L x 18 mm D
  44 mm x 43 mm x 13 mm; 13 mm x 8 mm (stopper)
  
• What: Writing set, travelling / base
  Writing set, travelling / inkwell
  Writing set, travelling / quill holder
  Writing set, travelling / sand box
  Writing set, travelling / seal matrix
  
• Subject: Gold and silver (NMAS Classification)
  Gold and silver (NMAS Classification)
  Gold and silver (NMAS Classification)
  Gold and silver (NMAS Classification)
  Gold and silver (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who: Cunningham
  Cunningham
  Cunningham
  Cunningham
  Cunningham
  Incorporation of Goldsmiths of Edinburgh (Presenter)
  Incorporation of Goldsmiths of Edinburgh (Presenter)
  Incorporation of Goldsmiths of Edinburgh (Presenter)
  Incorporation of Goldsmiths of Edinburgh (Presenter)
  Incorporation of Goldsmiths of Edinburgh (Presenter)
  Nicol Sommerville (Owner)
  Nicol Sommerville (Owner)
  Nicol Sommerville (Owner)
  Nicol Sommerville (Owner)
  Nicol Sommerville (Owner)
  Thomas Cleghorne, Edinburgh (Silversmith)
  Thomas Cleghorne, Edinburgh (Silversmith)
  Thomas Cleghorne, Edinburgh (Silversmith)
  Thomas Cleghorne, Edinburgh (Silversmith)
  Thomas Cleghorne, Edinburgh (Silversmith)
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Base from a silver travelling writing set in five parts, by Thomas Cleghorne, Edinburgh, 1673 - 1674, given by the Incorporation of Goldsmiths of Edinburgh to their clerk, Nicol Sommerville
  Sand-box from a silver travelling writing set in five parts, by Thomas Cleghorne, Edinburgh, 1673 - 1674, given by the Incorporation of Goldsmiths of Edinburgh to their clerk Nicol Sommerville
  Inkwell from a silver travelling writing set in five parts, by Thomas Cleghorne, Edinburgh, 1673 - 1674, given by the Incorporation of Goldsmiths of Edinburgh to their clerk, Nicol Sommerville
  Quill holder from a silver travelling writing set in five parts, by Thomas Cleghorne, 1673 - 1674, given by the Incorporation of Goldsmiths of Edinburgh to their clerk, Nicol Sommerville
  Seal matrix from a silver travelling writing set in five parts, by Thomas Cleghorne, 1673 - 1674, given by the Incorporation of Goldsmiths of Edinburgh to their clerk, Nicol Sommerville
  
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