Hamilton Illustrated Auction Sale Catalogue - Silver 1919, NMS N/R : Page 14

FOREIGN SILVER-GILT - all at.

14

108 MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS� CASKET4 in. high,
8 in. by 5 in.French, early 16th Centurymark, a crowned fleur-de
lys with cross below in leather case

It is shaped as an oblong box, with slightly domed lid, the latter
decorated with twelve panels of Gothic tracery pierced in gilded
silver on a silver ground, and divided by fluted bands studded with
small cinquefoils; the sides divided into rectangular panels by a
continuation of the fluted bands from across the top, the spaces
being reserved in the silver and delicately pricked with birds, a
stag and hounds amongst scroll foliage, the centre panel on one side
being engraved with the Hamilton Arms, and the sides having four
small loop handles attached. The lockplate covered by a sliding
panel surmounted by a chased crown in borders of Gothic ornament,
with key of steel

The box is traditionally said to have conveyed the letters between
Mary Queen of Scots and the Earl of Bothwell

Accompanying it is an ancient document giving its history as follows :

This silver box guilded and carved with the arms of Her Grace
Anne, Dutches of Hamilton on it, was the box that carryed letters
and tokens by messengers to and againe between Queen Mary of
Scotland and the Earle of Bothwell, which my Lady Marquis of Douglas
mother to William, Duke of Hamilton bought from a papist having then
the Queen's arms upon it and put her own arms theron, and afterwards
having left all her Ex?re to her son Lord James, Her plate was all
sold to a goldsmith, and the Dutches of Hamilton being told by my
Lady Marquis that the said box did once belong to the Queen Her
Grace bought the same from the goldsmith, and att the Dukes desire
putt out my Lady Marquis arms and put her own arms on the same.

The box had two keys whereof the Queen kept one and the E of
Bothwell the other, but her grace only received one of them and
beleives my Lady Marquis had never the other.

See Illustration
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