'Battle of Hochkirch'. Aftermath of the battle, the body of Marshal James Keith being carried into the church of Hochkirch. Groups of officers and soldiers, some wounded, watch the procession. In the background Baroque church and 2 poplar trees. There is a copy of this in Elphinstone Store (ABDUA:30169).
Inscription: Back: Prepared Canvas Plaque: BATTLE OF HOCHKIRCH 14 OCT, 1758 ' OTHER AUSTRIANS CARRIED THE DEAD GENERAL / INTO HOCHKIRCH CHURCH; AND KEITH SLEEPES NOW / FAR FROM BONNY INVERUGIE; - THE HOARSE SEA-WINDS / AND CAVERNS OF DUNNOTAR SINGING VAGUE REQUIEM' / CARLYLE, FREDERICK VOL V, 373. / PAINTED BY G.M. PATERSON AND PRESENTED BY JOHN PATERSON.
"Depiction of the body of Marshal James Keith (1696-1758) carried to Hochkirch church after his death in the battle of Hochkirch in 1758. Youngest son of William Keith 8th Earl Marischal James Keith fought in the Jacobite rising of 1715 and was wounded at Sherriffmuir. He escaped to France and later to Spain, Russia and ultimately to the service of Frederick King of Prussia in whose army he died (field-marshal) in 1758. Commemorative sculptures are in Berlin and Hochkirch. George M. Paterson (fl.1866-1904) was an Edinburgh based landscape and figure painter. The painting was exhibited at the RSA of 1886." Author: Morrison,John Date: 2002 Purpose: HA3541
Ostrich egg, carved with symbols and a monogram in memory of the death of James VIII and III. The lettering of the inscription is recognisably Scottish as is the drawing of the symbols, but the other work, especially the stylised flowering trees, would seem to belong to a West African decorative tradition. - The first symbol is of a crowned thistle: this has a long history in Scotland and conveys the idea of Scotland as an independent monarchy, going back to remotest antiquity. In the Jacobite version Scottish history, the Stuart monarchs are representatives of an unbroken line stretching back to the mythical Fergus. - The second Symbol is a crowned heart pierced with arrows: the pierced heart is a conventional representation of suffering within Catholic symbolism, here the fact that the heart is crowned suggests that it represents the sufferings of the king in exile. - The third symbol is the most enigmatic: a sheaf of corn with birds perching on it. The birds themselves may indicate no more than that the corn is ripe and the grain is ready to be eaten. The symbol of the sheaf itself may go back to a symbolic tradition whereby the ripe harvest represents a monarch ripe in wisdom. There is an added secret meaning of the kind in which the Jacobites delighted: the Latin for "ripe corn" is "matura arista" which is anagram of "Maria Stuarta". There are several instances of this anagram being used in the seventeenth century.
The object was displayed in the first exhibition ('100 Curiosities') at King's Museum which opened in April 2011. The object was also included in the 'Rebels with a Cause' exhibition shown initially at Holyrood (Scottish Parliament), Oct 2010 - Jan 2011, then later at the New Library, University of Aberdeen, Nov 2011- Mar 2012 (opening exhibition). The exhibition featured items from Marischal Museum and Special Collections. Provenance unknown.
Probably West African carver working with a Scottish client
James Francis Edward Stuart died in Rome on 1 January 1766, and this carved egg would seem to have been commissioned as a memorial object for him.
Landscape painting of the area around Loch Awe. A dirt track leads us into the picture across countryside to a ruined castle with huge hills in the background. There is also a puff of smoke indicating a lone cottage in the distance
The object was included in the 'Rebels with a Cause' exhibition shown initially at Holyrood (Scottish Parliament), Oct 2010 - Jan 2011, then later at the New Library, University of Aberdeen, Nov 2011- Mar 2012 (opening exhibition). The exhibition featured items from Marischal Museum and Special Collections. It was also included in Wild and Majestic: Romantic Visions of Scotland 26 June to 10 November 2019- National Museum of Scotland.
"Horatio McCulloch (1805-67) was the leading Scottish Romantic landscape painter. Trained in Glasgow under John Knox, McCulloch was a central figure in the dissemination of the visual landscape of Highlandism. His landscapes frequently contain ruins, desolate moorland and mountains." Author: Morrison,John Date: 2002 Purpose: HA3541
Drinking-cup, quaich, in wood with three side handles, ornamented with mountings in silver and inscriptions in Gaelic [debased celtic & linear design, handle mount decoration: pair of clasping hands] Translation of inscription, on handles: Prosperity to the man who never deserts his companion Put it round Love and fellowship Translation of inscription on bottom: The man who never deserts his friend or his foe
The object was included in the 'Rebels with a Cause' exhibition shown initially at Holyrood (Scottish Parliament), Oct 2010 - Jan 2011, then later at the New Library, University of Aberdeen, Nov 2011- Mar 2012 (opening exhibition). The exhibition featured items from Marischal Museum and Special Collections.
On inner base plate: A M fearnach cuir cul richaraid no ri nambaid On the handles/lug plates: Slainte n fearnach trieg a choumpanach;Graidh agus commun,ma'ng Cuirt e
"Scottish quaich, 18th century. 'A celebrated quaich which was given me under certain restrictions which I cannot well break. It was rescued from the flames of a castle that was burnt down in the rebellion of Forty-Five. A most capacious vehicle holding nearly two quarts and of course not calculated for spiritous liquors. Three lugs and inscriptions on each are curious memorials and the bottom has a sliver plate with the following inscription in Gaelic - May he never turn his back on friend or foe. It is curiously hooped round with bog wood and the supposed scions of the house of Stewart used to empty it at a draft of my strongest ale.' Quotation from the journals of Dr Robert Wilson (1787-1871)." Author: Hunt,Charles Date: 1982 Purpose: Robert.Wilson A.Man.of.the.World - Exhibition.Cata