Firstly, it was the work of De Courcy Lewthwaite Dewar (1878-1959) and she had signed and dated it DEC.L.D. 1906.
The 7in x 4in (18 x 10.5cm) central panel shows Kentigern (generally better known as St Mungo, Glasgow’s patron saint) flanked by 2in (5cm) wide panels of angels all enclosed in the 13in (33cm) tall steel case with copper strapwork set with moonstone cabochons.
As well as being inscribed with praises to God, the triptych also carried the possibly more materialistic hope Let Glasgow Flourish.
All these considerations resulted in Mr Mackie giving it a £3000-5000 estimate and a Scottish collector was prepared to go above that figure to keep the triptych in its native land, winning it with a bid of £5800.
Devoted to Glasgow School
ONE might not have thought that a Glaswegian enamelled devotional triptych was the easiest of items to estimate, but Lyon & Turnbull (17.5/10% buyer's premium) specialist John Mackie had a number of reference points when cataloguing the piece shown right for the decorative arts sale in Edinburgh on April 21.
