Antique Victorian 1880's Sgian Dubh - Inverness Highland Dress Style
Circa 1880 Antique Victorian Sgian Dubh - Inverness P G Wilson Style
Late Victorian unmarked silver sgian dubh in the style of Wilson of Inverness who made many of the Highland dress accoutrements and sgian dubhs for Queen Victoria. Although sadly this piece is unmarked some Wilson pieces had no marks or were just on the blade. The mounts have the classic Wilson pierced and engraved celtic foliate design.
Classic pin top design. Blade with some tarnish and pitting as is common in antique sgian dubhs .
Length approx 192mm
P G Wilson Highland Dress Accoutrements History
Although the sgian dubh is unmarked the sgian dubh is in the style of and maybe an unmarked item as some were. Peter George Wilson was born on the 2nd April 1843 at New Keith, Banff-shire. He served an apprenticeship to his father, also Peter Wilson, in c.1856. He went into business on his own account at 100, Church Street, Inverness c.1865 and moved later that same year to 8, Union Street.
As a maker of Highland jewellery he was in the right place at the right time. In 1866 Baron Rothschild and his party were passing through Inverness and purchased several pieces from P G Wilson. These pieces were noted by the Prince and Princess of Wales and in 1867 Wilson was summoned to Balmoral and was favoured with large orders from the Queen and many of the Royal Family. It was an association that was to last several years and in 1868 he was granted the Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria.
In 1873 Wilson moved to 44, High Street Inverness and on the 27th March 1879 he married Helen Whyte at Aberlour near Elgin. In 1882 Wilson purchased the business of Robert Naughten II of 27, Church Street, Inverness and in 1889 he moved to 1, High Street, Inverness. His wife, Helen, died in March 1901 and Wlison moved, yet again, to 50, Church Street, Inverness.
Peter Wilson's business was sold up in 1915 by public auction. It appears to have been a sad end to a once thriving business, as the sale details stated ' The auctioneer has every confidence in recommending the quality of the stock, although the goods and premises have been neglected on account of the propreitor's ill health'. Peter George Wilson died in January 1925. Many of the items of his manufacture were marked ' PGW. INS' or 'P.G.WILSON INVERNESS'. Often just on the blade.
Vintage & Antique Scottish Sgian Dubhs
We have a passion for fine antique and collectible sgian dubh’s and Highland dirks. We source antique Jacobite styles of the 18th century, high Victorian styles and regimental patterns of WW1 – WW2. Our sgian dubh and dirk range make wonderful addition to any Highland dress collection.
Our range of fine hallmarked sterling silver skean dubh’s made by the Highland regimental silversmith and Royal silversmiths Hamilton & Inches in Edinburgh, Scotland. We can engrave many of these skean dubhs for presentation gifts.
A Brief History of the Scottish Sgian Dubh
Vintage antique Sgian Dubhs – Scottish sgian skean dubhs from Scotland – The Gaelic sgian dubh meaning “black knife”, where “black” may refer to the usual colour of the handle of the knife. It is also suggested that “black” means secret, or hidden, as in the word blackmail. This is based on the stories and theories surrounding the knife’s origin and the meaning of “Dubh” in Gaelic, in particular those associated with the Highland custom of depositing weapons at the entrance to a house prior to entering as a guest. Despite this practice, a small twin edged-dagger, (‘Mattucashlass’), concealed under the armpit, combined with a smaller knife, (‘Sgian dubh’).