Testimonials represent the pinnacle of the Victorian taste for monumental presentation pieces. They were usually commissioned and paid for by a committee of friends or subscribers in recognition of the recipient's qualities and achievements. As for all these unique pieces, the design was meant to relate specifically to the recipient's history. In this case, it celebrates a Scottish battle successfully fought against the Danes in AD 890 by an ancestor of George Hay, 8th Marquess of Tweeddale, in allusion to his own respected military career.

The testimonial was presented to the Marquess as he retired from active service as Governor of Madras and Commander-in-Chief of the Madras Army. During the Great Exhibition of 1851 held in London, the display of Hunt & Roskell was noted for its splendour, especially for this exceptionally large piece, consisting of a thirteen-branched candelabrum weighing over 38 kilograms.

Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.