Auction of ‘treasures’ tells the tales of four centuries
HUNDREDS of heirlooms from collections of two historic Scottish families are to be sold in London.
Sotheby’s is to auction the historical items from the Forbes of Pitsligo, “tastemakers rooted in 18th-century Edinburgh”, and the Marquesses of Lothian, on March 28.
There will be more than 400 lots from Fettercairn House, Kincardineshire, dating from the 16th century to the present day, followed by some 70 lots from Monteviot House, near Jedburgh.
Harry Dalmeny, the auction house’s UK chairman, said: “These two collections, rich in content, say as much about the history of Scotland as they do about the families who assembled them over nearly four centuries.
“The Forbes family of Aberdeenshire, a clan replete with bankers, statesmen and Jacobite rebels, stand here united with the lowland Kerrs – Stuart courtiers, soldiers, politicians and collectors. The items present an encyclopaedic array, and while each lot tells its own tale, together they paint the most vivid picture, and celebrate the unique families and country from which they have come.”
Alexander, 4th Lord Forbes of Pitsligo, was involved in the Jacobite risings of 1715 and 1745.
His descendant Sir William Forbes, 6th Baronet, who died in1806, was a key player in the Enlightenment, when he lived at 86 George Street in Edinburgh.
The estate of Fettercairn was brought into the family’s possession when his son, also Sir William, married Williamina Belsches.
David Macdonald, Sotheby’s specialist in charge of the Fettercairn House sale, said: “In some respects, this is the story of Scotland over the last 250 years.
“From Jacobite swords and sporrans, and late 18th-century decorative pieces, to Grand Tour souvenirs – all these treasures found their way to Fettercairn House from the families’ historic estates at Greenhill, Morningside, Colinton, Invermay, and their Edinburgh town house.
“The lives and loves of the Forbes family, their academic interests and passions were reflected in the objects they acquired and treasured.
“Now these carefully displayed, stored or locked-away heirlooms come to light to be shared and discovered.”