Technical Description
A lovely silver and agate brooch in the form of a thistle-topped dirk and scabbard. The silver is engraved and set with a faceted faux amethyst and two carved agates, one of which is red jasper and the other is blue lace agate. The brooch is fully hallmarked for Glasgow 1960 with the maker’s mark ‘RA’ for Robert Allison, also marked ‘SCOTLAND’. Mounted with a safety clasp and a tube hinge.
Date & Origin
Scotland, Glasgow, 1960. Period of Queen Elizabeth II.
Condition
Excellent, age-related wear as shown. Pin to rear in full working order.
Dimensions
Height: 7.3 cm
Width: 1.9 cm
Historical Context
Robert Allison was first registered in Glasgow around 1941, he was a Scottish silversmith based in the Gorbals area of Glasgow. Originally learning his trade in Birmingham and later returning to his native Scottish lands to make jewellery and other Celtic related items that were exported across the world. Robert Allison and Sons was then registered in Edinburgh, March 1954. Robert Allison & James Allison, trading as Robert Allison & Sons, ceased trading 1982.
