Is this fork scottish provincial?

[rat-tail]

Hi all - any help appreciated with identifying this fiddle pattern table fork, which I think is silver. Cleans like silver and warms to the touch like silver, and doesn't have the wear you would expect of old plate, although it is quite a hefty piece. Simply marked JS and WICK. Now Wick could be the town in Scotland or a manufacturer's name. Any thoughts appreciated and if it is a provincial piece - any thoughts on MR JS. - Regards Frank




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[dognose]

Hi Frank,

That's John Sellar of Wick, Scotland.

Sellar moved around a fair bit, a common trait amongest the provincial smiths in Scotland, his Wick working period was between spells at Tain and Elgin and he worked there from 1825 to 1836.

He was born on the 16th December 1801 and died on the 2nd March 1886.

One interesting side note concerning John Sellar is that on the 8th January 1830, he took one Alexander Bain into apprenticeship for a term of seven years. Bain broke his indenture on the 21st July 1834, doing so was a serious matter and Bain's family had to compensate Sellar to the tune of £40, a lot of money in those days. However the money was well spent, Bain's brilliant mind went on to invent the electric clock and perhaps more importantly the electric telegraph.

It could well be that your fork was made by one of the great inventors of the 19th century.

Regards Trev.
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[rat-tail]

Hi Trev - thanks for the telegraph - much appreciated. C1830s fits quite well. There was a wave of Scottish settlement around Pietermaritzburg in the 1860s mainly in the Byrne valley and around Richmond and Nottingham Road. Once of the early settlers must have brought this fork with them. Still hold highland games in Fort Nottingham every year.

Thanks frank
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[dognose]

Image and link for detail of Alexander Bain.


Alexander Bain

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Bain_(inventor)

Trev.
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