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Vinaigrette
G. & M. Crichton - Enlarge image
Vinaigrette
- Place of origin:
Edinburgh, Scotland (made)
- Date:
1885-1886 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
G. & M. Crichton (maker)
- Materials and Techniques:
Silver, with citrines, amethysts, bloodstone, mottled jasper and banded agate
- Museum number:
M.117-1966
- Gallery location:
Jewellery, room 91, case 20, shelf A, box 8
This vinaigrette was made by the Edinburgh jeweller, G&M Crichton who exhibited jewellery at the London Exhibition of 1872. Although their designs received some praise from critics, one commented that the "Highland shoulder-brooches..." were " extravagant in the amount of relief in the details..."
In the early years of the 19th century, the poetry and novels of Sir Walter Scott put Scotland on the tourist map. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were very fond of Scotland. Scottish pebble jewellery, already fashionable in the 18th century, became a popular souvenir. Birmingham jewellers responded to the demand, sometimes using stones from countries other than Scotland.
