DATED 1687

Details

A FINE SCOTTISH COW-HORN POWDER-FLASK
Dated 1687
Of flattened form incised with 'Celtic' designs, ropework, an inscription, the initials 'CS', and the date, wooden base-plate, later plaited cord strap on brass rings, and later silver nozzle and cap
13¾in. (34.9cm.)

Provenance

Scone Palace, Perthshire

Special notice

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Lot Essay

The inscription reads 'Seck Me Not I Pray The. My Mester Vil Deney The. Eat Les And Boy' - 'Seek Me Not I pray Thee. My Master Will Deny Thee. Eat Less And Buy'

Two powder-horns in the Royal Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, are engraved with similar inscriptions, one with the date 1693, and the other with the date 1694 (for the latter, see James Drummond, Ancient Scottish Weapons, 1881, plate XXIII, fig. 1). Similar inscriptions also appear on Lowland Scottish daggers of the early 17th century, including one in the Victoria and Albert Museum (inv. no. M59-1959), on which the inscription is almost identical

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