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ID #SA1240561
FOR SALE
£1,395
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1899 Scottish Silver Quaich Stags Head 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders Boer War
For sale by Queens Antiques and Collectables
for sale €1,632     $1,772
£1,395

Queens Antiques and Collectables

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2025
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    Specialising in georgian & later high quality silver pieces.
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1899 Scottish Silver Quaich Stags Head 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders Boer War

19th century
Description

An extremely RARE and historically significant SECOND BOER WAR PERIOD (1899-1902) Late Victorian SCOTTISH STERLING SILVER QUAICH hallmarked for EDINBURGH 1899 by the highly celebrated makers of Highland Regimental presentation Silver, ROBERT & HENRY BRUCE KIRKWOOD of 66 & 68 THISTLE STREET, EDINBURGH.

Engraved with:-

“CAPTAIN EW BURNETT R.N.R

FROM THE OFFICERS

1ST BATTALION GORDON HIGHLANDERS

S.S CHESHIRE NOV 9TH - 29TH 1899”

This inscription obviously is of the exact same year the Quaich was commissioned.

A bit if history:-

In November 1899 at the outbreak of the 2nd Boer War, the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders departed from Edinburgh and travelled to Liverpool, where they embarked on the Troop Ship S.S. CHESHIRE on the 9th November 1899 bound for South Africa.

This stunning piece was present to Captain EW Burnett for the journey from the 9th to 29th November 1899 to commemorate their historic and safe passage to the front lines in South Africa.

Captain Burnett was not an army officer, but rather a civilian shipmaster commanding the vessel. The S.S. CHESHIRE was modern passenger liner owned by BIBBY BROS & CO that was requisitioned by the British Admiralty in October 1899 to serve as Transport 43 for the 2nd Boer War.

The 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders Officers included:-

LIEUTENANT COLONEL GTF DOWNMAN - Commanding officer who was fatally wounded at MAGERSFONTEIN

MAJOR HWD DENNE - 2nd in Command

MAJOR CC MILLER-WALLNUT - Senior Company Commander - received DSO

CAPTIAN ERNEST BEACHCROFT BECKWITH TOWSE - received VICTORIA CROSS

CAPTAIN WE GORDON - received VICTORIA CROSS.

And many more ……..Tragically within 2 weeks of stepping off the ship, nearly half the officers were casualties during the night march and battle at MAGERSFONTEIN on Dec 11th 1899.

This historic piece has STAGS HEAD LUGS/HANDLES with long sweeping Antlers, flanked by ivy foliate with “BYDAND” meaning “REMAINING or STEADFAST” which was adopted as the official Motto of the Gordon Highlanders.

Measuring 14 cm across the handles and 9 cm bowl diameter, 5 cm high. A good weight of 227 grams.

In very good condition. A few surface scratches, small dings and slight signs of wear commensurate of age and use.

Declaration

Queens Antiques and Collectables has dated this Antique Scottish Silver Quaich to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1240561
Dealers Notes

UK MAINLAND DELIVERY: Free of Charge via Royal Mail Special Delivery or Royal Mail Tracked 24 depending on the value of the item purchased.

OVERSEAS DELIVERY: please contact me for a quote.

Description
An extremely RARE and historically significant SECOND BOER WAR PERIOD (1899-1902) Late Victorian SCOTTISH STERLING SILVER QUAICH hallmarked for EDINBURGH 1899 by the highly celebrated makers of Highland Regimental presentation Silver, ROBERT & HENRY BRUCE KIRKWOOD of 66 & 68 THISTLE STREET, EDINBURGH.
fig 1. Late Victorian Scottish silver quaich featuring cast stag head handles and an engraved military presentation inscription on a circular pedestal base.
fig 1. 1899 Scottish Silver Quaich Stags Head 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders Boer War

Engraved with:-

“CAPTAIN EW BURNETT R.N.R

FROM THE OFFICERS

1ST BATTALION GORDON HIGHLANDERS

S.S CHESHIRE NOV 9TH - 29TH 1899”

This inscription obviously is of the exact same year the Quaich was commissioned.

fig 2. Late Victorian Scottish silver quaich featuring cast stag head handles and an engraved military presentation inscription on a circular pedestal base.
fig 2. 1899 Scottish Silver Quaich Stags Head 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders Boer War

A bit if history:-

“
In November 1899 at the outbreak of the 2nd Boer War, the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders departed from Edinburgh and travelled to Liverpool, where they embarked on the Troop Ship S.
Queens Antiques and Collectables

S. CHESHIRE on the 9th November 1899 bound for South Africa.

fig 3. Late Victorian Scottish silver quaich featuring cast stag head handles and an engraved military presentation inscription on a circular pedestal base.
fig 3. 1899 Scottish Silver Quaich Stags Head 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders Boer War

This stunning piece was present to Captain EW Burnett for the journey from the 9th to 29th November 1899 to commemorate their historic and safe passage to the front lines in South Africa.

Captain Burnett was not an army officer, but rather a civilian shipmaster commanding the vessel. The S.S. CHESHIRE was modern passenger liner owned by BIBBY BROS & CO that was requisitioned by the British Admiralty in October 1899 to serve as Transport 43 for the 2nd Boer War.

fig 4. Late Victorian Scottish silver quaich featuring cast stag head handles and an engraved military presentation inscription on a circular pedestal base.
fig 4. 1899 Scottish Silver Quaich Stags Head 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders Boer War

The 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders Officers included:-

LIEUTENANT COLONEL GTF DOWNMAN - Commanding officer who was fatally wounded at MAGERSFONTEIN

MAJOR HWD DENNE - 2nd in Command

MAJOR CC MILLER-WALLNUT - Senior Company Commander - received DSO

fig 5. Late Victorian Scottish silver quaich featuring cast stag head handles and an engraved military presentation inscription on a circular pedestal base.
fig 5. 1899 Scottish Silver Quaich Stags Head 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders Boer War

CAPTIAN ERNEST BEACHCROFT BECKWITH TOWSE - received VICTORIA CROSS

CAPTAIN WE GORDON - received VICTORIA CROSS.

And many more ……..Tragically within 2 weeks of stepping off the ship, nearly half the officers were casualties during the night march and battle at MAGERSFONTEIN on Dec 11th 1899.

fig 6. Late Victorian Scottish silver quaich featuring cast stag head handles and an engraved military presentation inscription on a circular pedestal base.
fig 6. 1899 Scottish Silver Quaich Stags Head 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders Boer War

This historic piece has STAGS HEAD LUGS/HANDLES with long sweeping Antlers, flanked by ivy foliate with “BYDAND” meaning “REMAINING or STEADFAST” which was adopted as the official Motto of the Gordon Highlanders.

fig 7. Late Victorian Scottish silver quaich featuring cast stag head handles and an engraved military presentation inscription on a circular pedestal base.
fig 7. 1899 Scottish Silver Quaich Stags Head 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders Boer War

Measuring 14 cm across the handles and 9 cm bowl diameter, 5 cm high. A good weight of 227 grams.

In very good condition. A few surface scratches, small dings and slight signs of wear commensurate of age and use.

Date of Manufacture

Queens Antiques and Collectables has dated this Antique Scottish Silver Quaich to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1240561
Queens Antiques and Collectables
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2025

Specialising in georgian & later high quality silver pieces.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Queens Antiques and Collectables Profile Page

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Late Victorian Scottish silver quaich featuring cast stag head handles and an engraved military presentation inscription on a circular pedestal base.
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Archive I Late Victorian Scottish silver quaich featuring cast stag head handles and an engraved military presentation inscription on a circular pedestal base.

1899 Scottish Silver Quaich Stags Head 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders Boer War

Archive II Late Victorian Scottish silver quaich featuring cast stag head handles and an engraved military presentation inscription on a circular pedestal base. View II
Archive III Late Victorian Scottish silver quaich featuring cast stag head handles and an engraved military presentation inscription on a circular pedestal base. View III
Archive IV Late Victorian Scottish silver quaich featuring cast stag head handles and an engraved military presentation inscription on a circular pedestal base. View IV
Archive V Late Victorian Scottish silver quaich featuring cast stag head handles and an engraved military presentation inscription on a circular pedestal base. View V
Archive VI Late Victorian Scottish silver quaich featuring cast stag head handles and an engraved military presentation inscription on a circular pedestal base. View VI
Archive VII Late Victorian Scottish silver quaich featuring cast stag head handles and an engraved military presentation inscription on a circular pedestal base. View VII
Archive VIII Late Victorian Scottish silver quaich featuring cast stag head handles and an engraved military presentation inscription on a circular pedestal base. View VIII
Archive IX Late Victorian Scottish silver quaich featuring cast stag head handles and an engraved military presentation inscription on a circular pedestal base. View IX
Archive X Late Victorian Scottish silver quaich featuring cast stag head handles and an engraved military presentation inscription on a circular pedestal base. View X
Archive XI Late Victorian Scottish silver quaich featuring cast stag head handles and an engraved military presentation inscription on a circular pedestal base. View XI
Archive XII Late Victorian Scottish silver quaich featuring cast stag head handles and an engraved military presentation inscription on a circular pedestal base. View XII
Archive XIII Late Victorian Scottish silver quaich featuring cast stag head handles and an engraved military presentation inscription on a circular pedestal base. View XIII
Archive XIV Late Victorian Scottish silver quaich featuring cast stag head handles and an engraved military presentation inscription on a circular pedestal base. View XIV
Archive XV Late Victorian Scottish silver quaich featuring cast stag head handles and an engraved military presentation inscription on a circular pedestal base. View XV
Enlarged Archival View

Queens Antiques and Collectables
Telephone 07712 764055
Location
Clophill
Bedfordshire
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/queensantiques
Verified Since Oct 2025
Items For Sale 65
Items Sold 219
Queens Antiques and Collectables
Verified Since Oct 2025
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Location: Clophill, Bedfordshire , United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/queensantiques
Verified
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Late Victorian Scottish silver quaich featuring cast stag head handles and an engraved military presentation inscription on a circular pedestal base.
1899 SCOTTISH SILVER QUAICH STAGS HEAD 1ST BATTALION GORDON HIGHLANDERS BOER WAR
Ref: SA1240561
Late Victorian Scottish silver quaich featuring cast stag head handles and an engraved military presentation inscription on a circular pedestal base.
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectBowls
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialSterling Silver
  • ColourSilver
  • MotifsStag head handles, Engraved inscription, Circular pedestal base, Oak leaf relief

This Victorian Scottish sterling silver quaich is a drinking bowl in a traditional style with a reflective silver finish. It stands on a circular pedestal base and features cast stag head handles with long sweeping antlers, flanked by oak leaf relief decoration and an engraved military presentation inscription. Surface scratches, small dings and slight signs of wear are visible across the metal body. Measuring 14 cm across the handles, 9 cm bowl diameter and 5 cm high with a weight of 227 grams, it sits comfortably on a sideboard top in a home today as a display piece or decorative container.

FAQs

A quaich is a traditional Scottish shallow drinking vessel featuring two or more flat handles or lugs. Historically crafted from wood or silver, it was used to offer a welcoming drink to guests during ceremonial occasions.

Late Victorian silver quaiches were formed using raised sheet silver or cast components, mounted onto a circular pedestal base. Handles often featured elaborate cast figures, such as stag heads or heraldic emblems, attached via hard soldering.

Authentic pieces feature British hallmarks including the makers mark, purity mark, assay office mark, and date letter. Scottish silver produced in Edinburgh or Glasgow displays specific assay office symbols alongside late Victorian stylistic details.

Position a silver presentation bowl on a dark timber sideboard, mantlepiece, or desk to provide metallic contrast. It can serve as a standalone decorative focal point or as an elegant receptacle for small desk accessories.

Clean silver gently using a soft, lint-free cloth and specialized silver polish to remove oxidisation without scratching the surface. Avoid harsh chemicals and store items in low-humidity environments wrapped in anti-tarnish fabric.
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