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MARK OF FRANÇOIS RIGAL, PARIS, 1729
Details
A LOUIS XV SILVER BASIN
MARK OF FRANÇOIS RIGAL, PARIS, 1729
Shaped oblong, with ovolo border, the interior sides with flat-chased border of strapwork, foliage and matting, the field later engraved with a coat-of-arms in baroque cartouche and motto above 'Pietas Tutissima Uirtus', marked underneath rim: charge, date-letter (H) and maker; on rim: decharge; engraved underneath with scratch weight 34:18
13 ½ in. (34.2 cm.) long
34 oz. 11 dwt. (1,076 gr.)
The arms are those of the Ainslie for George Ainslie (1694-1773), a Scottish merchant and landowner. Descended from the ancient Ainslies of Dolphinton in Lanarkshire, he settled in the thriving Atlantic port of Bordeaux, where he amassed considerable wealth through the wine trade and other international commercial ventures linking Scotland, France, and Britain's expanding overseas markets.
Following his success in Bordeaux, Ainslie returned to Scotland and acquired the estate of Pilton, near Edinburgh, establishing his family among the Scottish landed gentry. However, it appears that three of his four daughters were married and established in France and that the family retained a connection with Bordeaux. Upon his death in 1773, he left a substantial estate and laid the foundations for the prominence of subsequent generations of the Ainslie family in military, diplomatic and political life.
MARK OF FRANÇOIS RIGAL, PARIS, 1729
Shaped oblong, with ovolo border, the interior sides with flat-chased border of strapwork, foliage and matting, the field later engraved with a coat-of-arms in baroque cartouche and motto above 'Pietas Tutissima Uirtus', marked underneath rim: charge, date-letter (H) and maker; on rim: decharge; engraved underneath with scratch weight 34:18
13 ½ in. (34.2 cm.) long
34 oz. 11 dwt. (1,076 gr.)
The arms are those of the Ainslie for George Ainslie (1694-1773), a Scottish merchant and landowner. Descended from the ancient Ainslies of Dolphinton in Lanarkshire, he settled in the thriving Atlantic port of Bordeaux, where he amassed considerable wealth through the wine trade and other international commercial ventures linking Scotland, France, and Britain's expanding overseas markets.
Following his success in Bordeaux, Ainslie returned to Scotland and acquired the estate of Pilton, near Edinburgh, establishing his family among the Scottish landed gentry. However, it appears that three of his four daughters were married and established in France and that the family retained a connection with Bordeaux. Upon his death in 1773, he left a substantial estate and laid the foundations for the prominence of subsequent generations of the Ainslie family in military, diplomatic and political life.
Provenance
George Ainslie (1694-1773).
Anonymous sale; Christie's, Geneva, 27 April 1976, lot 440.
with Jacques Helft, Paris, 1978.
Acquired from the above by the Blaquier-Arrieta Family.
Anonymous sale; Christie's, Geneva, 27 April 1976, lot 440.
with Jacques Helft, Paris, 1978.
Acquired from the above by the Blaquier-Arrieta Family.
Brought to you by
Charlotte Young
Associate Director, Specialist