Vinaigrette thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

Vinaigrette

1885-1886 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

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.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver, with citrines, amethysts, bloodstone, mottled jasper and banded agate
Brief description
Scotland, Edinburgh, 1885-6; made by G. & M. Crichton. Silver, with citrines, amethysts, bloodstone, mottled jasper and banded agate. Used to contain an aromatic substance
Physical description
Scotland, Edinburgh, 1885-6; made by G. & M. Crichton. Silver, with citrines, amethysts, bloodstone, mottled jasper and banded agate. Used to contain an aromatic substance. Signed 'G. & M. CRICHTON, 15 PRINCES STREET EDINBURGH SCOTTISH', with Edinburgh hallmarks for 1885-86
Dimensions
  • Height: 11.6cm
  • Width: 4.7cm
  • Depth: 2.9cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'G. & M. CRICHTON, 15 PRINCES STREET EDINBURGH SCOTTISH' (signed; maker's mark)
  • Edinburgh hallmarks for 1885-86
Summary
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.
Collection
Accession number
M.117-1966

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJuly 18, 2005
Record URL
Download as: JSON