Accordingly, despite the relative abundance of 19th century Glasgow silver, those pieces carrying early 18th century marks - the Glasgow town mark first used in the late 17th century was taken from the burgh's coat of arms of the tree, fish, bell and ring - are rarer than sometimes perceived.
"Glasgow silver sold particularly well… and in recent months has become very collectable," said Trevor Kyle, silver specialist at Lyon & Turnbull (17.5% buyer's premium) in the wake of the Edinburgh sale of May 27. Included in a small collection of Glasgow wares was a set of 12 three-prong Hanoverian pattern forks with marks for c.1724, three years after maker Robert Luke had been admitted into the local guild. With engraved initials to the rear, they sold at £3700 (estimate £1000-1500).
Luke, who incidentally was also owner of Glasgow's only brewery on the banks of the Molendinar Burn, was one of half a dozen local names supplying elegant and fashionable wares for the tea and dinner tables of Glasgow's growing mercantile elite. Also offered here was this 11oz circular stand, right, with marks for Luke, 1725, and a serpentine moulded border, 8in (20cm) diameter. At £2200 it also doubled expectations.
