LONDON.- Christmas presents from Queen Victoria to her favourite personal servant, John Brown, sold for £23,400 at Bonhams Scottish sale in Edinburgh today (19 August).
A silver mounted claret jug, engraved V.R. TO J.B/VICTORIA 1872, which had which remained in Brown’s family until acquired by the current owner in the 1960s, sold for £14,300. It had been estimated at £4,000 – 6,000.
A teapot engraved “FROM VICTORIA R/CHRISTMAS 1876” and monogrammed ‘J.B.’ (est £5,000 – 7,000) made £9000.
Two very personal tributes to Brown produced after his death in 1883 also sold for well over their estimates. A presentation memorial locket containing an enamelled photographic portrait of John Brown and a lock of his hair inscribed on the front DEAR JOHN/27 MARCH 1883 and on the reverse FROM V.R.I. made £13,200 (£4,000 – 6,000).
A memorial stickpin with an enamelled photographic portrait and the engraving ‘Uncle John/27 March 1883/from/V.R.I. presented by the Queen to one of Brown’s nephews fetched £4,560 (est £1,500 – 2,000).
A gold memorial stickpin of Brown designed for her Highland servants and cottagers to be worn on the anniversary of his death, made £2,880 (est £1,500 – 2,000).
Finally, a painted porcelain plaque of one of Queen Victoria’s favourite dogs, Fern, presented to Brown by Her Majesty was sold for £10,560 (est £3,000 – 5,000)
http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=40073
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