Baldwin's of St. James's
Auction 22 27 Sep 2018
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British Commemorative Medals, Walter Ewing Maclae (1745-1814), white glass paste cameo portrait medallion, 1791, by James Tassie (1735-1799), bust r., hair tied en queue, named and dated on truncation, W. E. MACLAE 1791, set on black glass and contained in an oval domed glazed gold locket, with (empty) compartment on reverse side, with brooch fitting and suspension ring, gold safety chain, 39 x 33.5mm., a handsome Georgian locket, the cameo now detached from background, otherwise much as made
The Ewing Maclae family of Cathkin were important Glasgow merchants, many of whom were associated with the University of Glasgow. Born Walter Ewing, he inherited the estate of his maternal uncle Walter Maclae (d. 1790) and took his name. He, and later two of his sons, were associated with the slave trade. Humphrey Ewing Maclae (1773- 1860), was recorded by Addison as a West Indian proprietor; and James Ewing (1775-1853), a Glasgow merchant and politician, had estates in Jamaica and both had involvement in the slave trade of the West Indies. The third brother, William Ewing, was also registered as a merchant in Glasgow, though it is not known if he had slave trade connections. James Tassie also made a portrait of his wife Margaret, née Fisher.
Estimate: (300-400 GBP)
The Ewing Maclae family of Cathkin were important Glasgow merchants, many of whom were associated with the University of Glasgow. Born Walter Ewing, he inherited the estate of his maternal uncle Walter Maclae (d. 1790) and took his name. He, and later two of his sons, were associated with the slave trade. Humphrey Ewing Maclae (1773- 1860), was recorded by Addison as a West Indian proprietor; and James Ewing (1775-1853), a Glasgow merchant and politician, had estates in Jamaica and both had involvement in the slave trade of the West Indies. The third brother, William Ewing, was also registered as a merchant in Glasgow, though it is not known if he had slave trade connections. James Tassie also made a portrait of his wife Margaret, née Fisher.
Estimate: (300-400 GBP)