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Historically significant items from the Cunninghame Graham Family

Historically significant items from the Cunninghame Graham Family

Published: 17th January 2025
captain durham compass edd

RWB Auctions is pleased to be offering over 30 lots of fascinating and historic items during their 29th January sale collected indirectly from the Cunninghame Graham family. A noble family descended from the Scottish Grahams of Gartmore (the ancestral lands just outside Sterling), the family were past Barons of Ardoch and have a long line of relatives who each achieved considerable success in Military, Political and Artistic careers. Not only do many of the items hold significant historical merit in their own rights, but the family connection provides important provenance.

Royal Connections

mary queen of scots embroidery painted box

There are several items with a Royal Connection of which the most historical is a piece of embroidery reputedly worked by Mary Queen of Scots while she was interred at Chartley Manor in 1570. It comes with a mid 20th Century letter explaining the item’s history when it was bequeathed to Lady Jean Polwarth. There is also a silver framed photograph of Elizabeth the Queen Mother signed both by the Queen Mother and Cecil Beaton, which was also owned by Lady Polwarth.  An additional lot is a very high quality 19th Century jewellery box made of tortoiseshell with solid gold detailing which bears a painted image of Mary Queen of Scots to the lid.  

Naval Interest

captain durham compass edd

The Cunninghame family have a strong association with the Royal Navy, and we have a good selection of Naval related items. The most important is a Georgian compass reputedly used by Captain Philip Charles Durham during the battle of Trafalgar in 1805, as well as a late 19th century uniform, sword, dagger and other items belonging to Commander Charles Elphinstone Fleeming Cunninghame Graham (1854-1917).  There are also items from his son, Admiral Sir Angus Edward Malise Bontine Cunninghame Graham (1893-1981) including the Page Boy outfit he wore in 1902 to the Coronation of his godfather King Edward VII.

page boy outfit coronation kind edward vii

Amongst other interesting items is a telescope belonging to Robert Bontine Cunninghame Graham (1852-1936) who was an author, adventurer, Politician and founder of the Scottish National Party and the 1st Socialist member of parliament for the UK. From the female line we have several pieces of hand made Brussels lace, the most impressive of which is a veil which was created for the wedding of Francis Laura Spiers to Robert Graham of Cartmore in 1824. This was then worn by six further generations of women in the family up to 1979. There is also a near pair of late Georgian magnum cut glass ship's decanters etched with the coats of arms of the Elphinstone-Fleeming and Cunninghame-Graham families.

magnum ship decanters


If you are looking for fine quality items with a strong historical connection, the Cunninghame Graham collection shouldn't be missed.  The sale takes place at 11 am on Wednesday, 29 January where you can bid in person at 144 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, place telephone or commission bids, or bid online via Easy Live Auction or the saleroom

 

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