It was an impressive example of the type with all the usual
accoutrements but applied with quartz and agates and elaborate silver mounts of Celtic strapwork and opening to reveal a pocket horn snuff mull plus two oval canisters engraved with the crests and mottos of Robertson and Aikman. It brought £6600 (estimate £3000-4000).
The average curling ram’s horn snuff mull with anonymous silver mounts will sell for £200-300 but Bonhams found one marked for William Jamieson of Aberdeen and set to the lid with polished agate within scrolling scalloped and engraved borders. It made £1000.
Centre: the usual Georgian mull of the bellied type is not likely to
command more than £400 but the best example from the Murray
collection was crested and made with alternating silver and horn staves. This unusual feature saw it overcome some wear to make £1500 (estimate £400-600).
Bottom Right: for sheer charm it was hard to beat the unusual ram’s horn snuff mull with the terminal carved as a characterful dog’s head, applied paws and a silver collar engraved with an inscription detailing the name of the beast and his owner. At Bonhams it sold at £1200.
Snuff mulls of uncommon interest
The snuff mull is one of the most common Scottish silver forms – but shown here are three examples that proved a few cuts above the norm. Top right: favourite Victorian entry at Bonhams’ Scottish Sale was a ram’s head table snuff mull by Mackay & Chisholm of Edinburgh, 1880.
