An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian Scottish sterling silver brandy warmer / pan; an addition to our diverse silverware collection

This antique Victorian Scottish sterling silver brandy warmer has a circular rounded form.

The surface of the body is embellished with equidistant contemporary bright cut engraved coat of arms and a crest*.

One side of the pan bears the Maitland family crest displaying on a ducal coronet a lion sejant affrontée, holding in the dexter paw a sword in pale, and in the sinister a fleur-de-lis, above the motto 'Consilio et animis' - With prudence and courage.

The anterior surface bears a Ramsay family coat of arms of an eagle displayed, surmounted with the crest of a unicorn's head couped, armed, maned, and tufted, all above the motto 'Ora et labora' - Pray and labour.

The opposing surface of the bowl features the Gibson coat of arms displaying 1st and 4th a lion rampant armed and langued within a double tressure flory-counter-flory of the second (royal arms of Scotland); 2nd and 3rd three keys fesswise in pale wards downwards (Gibson), all over the motto 'Coelestes pandite portae' - Open ye heavenly gates.

This exceptional brandy pan is fitted with a baluster shaped turned wood handle with a plain cylindrical sterling silver terminal, in addition to a heart shaped socket in junction with the body.

* It can be determined through the identification of each heraldic marking that this piece was possessed by the Scottish Liberal politician Sir Alexander Charles Ramsay-Gibson-Maitland (3rd Baronet) or his son Sir James Ramsay-Gibson-Maitland (4th Baronet) who gained recognition as the Father of Scientific Aquaculture; or a relative thereof.

This antique sterling silver brandy warmer is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition.

The warmer has been professionally polished and is in presentation condition.

Full hallmarks struck to the surface of the pan are clear; due to the location on a rounded surface the date letter has worn and is illegible .

Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this piece of antique Victorian silverware.

Length from handle to rim 19.2cm/7.6"

Length of handle 9.4cm/3.7"

Diameter of rim 8.9cm/3.5"

Height to top of handle 13.3cm/5.2"

5.6 troy ounces/174g

Date: Circa 1850

Origin: Edinburgh, Scotland

Maker: James McKay